Introduction
Gosport Borough Council covers approximately 11 square miles. The character of Gosport is greatly influenced by its geography and its position as a peninsula dividing the Solent and Portsmouth Harbour. Similarly to other Council's locally, it has strong historic links to the Royal Navy, and approximately 30% of the land is owned by the Ministry of Defence who also provide a third of the jobs in the Borough.
Social Housing Need and Demand
The Housing Needs Survey, produced in 1998, continues to be the main source of the Councils data on housing need and demand. The information provided is updated on an annual basis using information from the Councils Joint Housing Register, the Rent Officer Service 'Market Trends' analysis and a survey of homes for sale. In view of the fact that there have been a number of wider economic changes over the past two years effecting the housing market and employment, the Council will commission an updated Housing Needs Survey to be ready in time for the next Housing Strategy. In addition to the areas examined in the last survey the Council will use the research to gather information on fuel poverty (see background paper: Fuel Poverty Strategy*) and assess the need for key workers schemes, to tie in with the Private Rented and Empty Property Sector Update*.
The Joint Housing Register continues to reflect the trends shown in the 1998 Housing Needs Survey. The register shows over 75% of those registered for housing as having incomes below £15,000 and 32% being in receipt of income support. Given the impact of inflation since 1998, this statistic actually represents an overall reduction in income of those who apply for social rented housing. Homelessness is continuing to rise, with applications increasing by 62% and acceptances by 38% since the last Housing Needs Survey was completed. More detail is contained in the background paper: Homelessness Strategy*.
We have also undertaken an analysis of long-term population projections. This suggested that a further 100 new affordable dwellings will be needed per year from 1997 to 2011. This figure is not balanced in terms of age, as over 50% of the population increase during that period will be over the age of 60, skewing the demand for smaller accommodation. Already, the tenant profile of Gosport demonstrates a higher than average elderly population.
Although the private rented sector and the owner occupied sector, through shared ownership, make a contribution to the affordable housing market, it is statistically insignificant. Although the RSL sector has increased, it has not been able to keep pace with demand. It is also likely that the economic regeneration of the Borough will provide additional jobs at the lower end of the skills market, at a time when house prices have been rapidly increasing (*see Economic Regeneration Strategy Update).
Discussions with colleagues in adjacent Local Authorities in similar positions to us have suggested that there is a movement of demand across the area and that those seeking housing do not limit themselves to administrative boundaries. A joint Authority initiative has therefore recently been launched to undertake a cross-boundary Housing Needs assessment, which will provide migratory information as well as the information normally gathered on a Borough wide basis. This also has the benefit of reducing the cost for each Authority, although the results have not been available to influence the preparation of this plan.
Choice Based Lettings
The Gosport Joint Housing Register is the mechanism by which the vast majority of permanent social housing in the District is let. The Waiting List and Transfer Policies (and ancillary provisions) determines who will be awarded Council lets. It also controls a minimum of 75% of all general needs re-lets through Housing Association partners and 50% of all sheltered scheme re-lets through Housing Association partners. In addition, 100% of lets created by new developments through Housing Association partners are controlled by the Council. More detail is provided in the background paper: Lettings Strategy *.
Although the Council has indicated its aim to introduce choice into its letting policy in the future, there are two major problems that have been identified in introducing a choice based letting scheme. The first is the capacity to efficiently monitor allocations with the existing computer system. This is because of the changes in monitoring which will be required. These involve cumulative monitoring of successful allocations to assess whether targets have been achieved. Depending upon whether targets have or have not been achieved, the selection of new allocations would be affected. The introduction of a new computer system early in 2002 will help resolve this problem. The restriction of the community allocations policy to two pilot areas will enable appropriate monitoring systems to be explored and management of the new provisions to be assessed.
The second problem is the need to permanently re-house homeless customers in an environment where the continuation of temporary accommodation, increases Council costs and reduces available temporary lets. The Council therefore has to balance the need for temporary accommodation to be rotated and contain costs, with the desires of customers to wait for accommodation in areas of choice. This matter requires the ability to rapidly respond to changing circumstances. However, we will look closely at the success of the DTLR sponsored pilots to see whether similar problems have been overcome elsewhere and to make use of the best practice available. At present, a 'choice based' lettings system is being piloted on the Seafield Estate, as part of the community regeneration project, which is described in more detail within the Housing Strategy.
Affordable Housing and Planning
Although relevant to the overall Housing Strategy of the Council, the issues surrounding affordable housing and planning are less of an issue for the Business Plan. However, detailed discussion can be found within the relevant attachment to the Housing Strategy (see background paper: Planning and Development and Affordable Housing Strategy*).
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