Work begins to increase delivery of homes for local people after Cabinet approves plans

Dorset Council has been given the go-ahead to increase the supply of affordable homes, use council land and assets and end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation.  

Work will start immediately to plan for 100 temporary accommodation properties across Dorset, moving homeless people out of B&B’s, into locations where it is needed most.

The council will also launch a trial to house people with complex needs by building on small council sites and converting existing buildings.

Cabinet agreed to examine two future recommendations to provide more affordable housing. A large-scale leasing approach would aim to provide 400 homes a year over three years (1,200 in total). The second approach involves a pilot, working with partners to build affordable housing on council land, with a particular focus on social rent homes.

Both approaches will aim to meet the needs of residents who are on the housing register.

Additionally, councillors agreed to explore the potential of the council’s housing company, Homes Dorset, to support their ambitious goals for housing supply.

Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, Cllr Gill Taylor said:

“The endorsement from Cabinet means we can start to close the gap between the supply and demand for affordable homes in Dorset. This was one of the promises we made when we took over Dorset Council last year.   

We won’t turn away from residents in housing need and we need to act now to provide good quality, decent homes, that people can afford.

These plans include supported, accessible, and adapted homes and with our information, we can determine the best size, type, and location of housing, including homes for key workers.

We can now work towards ending the use of B&Bs for emergency accommodation, by offering more appropriate temporary housing solutions. This is especially important for families with children of all ages.

Our Registered Provider partners currently build approximately 450 homes annually and we’ll continue to work with them to increase the construction of new homes and significantly boost housing availability in Dorset.

Despite challenges such as nutrient neutrality and labour and material shortages, 444 new affordable homes were delivered last year,” she added.

To deliver the temporary accommodation, the council will work quickly to adopt a 10-year lease agreement with an independent provider.  This will include homes for single people and families as well as accessible homes, at the best rent levels.