To improve the quality of the city’s council housing, an Asset Management Plan saw the creation of a Local Delivery Vehicle (Brighton & Hove Seaside Community Homes Limited). Up to 499 council homes are being leased to this organisation which has used them as an asset to borrow funding which has helped 99.5% of our council housing stock meet the Decent Homes standard.
By working in partnership with landlords and local letting agencies we are improving management and conditions in HMOs and reducing the impact on the community. Brighton & Hove City Council introduced an additional HMO Licensing scheme in five ‘Lewes Road wards’ of Hanover & Elm Grove; Moulsecoomb & Bevendean; St Peters & North Laine; Hollingdean & Stanmer and Queen’s Park in November 2012.
The Council is working with owners of empty homes and has helped bring more than 900 back into use since 2009. During 2014/15, 158 long term empty private sector homes were brought back into use in the city.
We are working with West Sussex County Council developing a model for delivery of Green Deal / Energy Company Obligation funding for local residents, businesses and the community through becoming an Affiliate Member of Your Energy Sussex partnership (for private sector housing) and building upon our joint work with Public Health. We continue to work with Your Energy Sussex on an ECO funded boiler replacement and heating scheme for vulnerable householders, however the funding does not cover the full cost of installations in most cases and we continue to explore other funding streams to top up the difference. In the council housing sector, the council is implementing a programme to install cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to all relevant properties. In addition there are ongoing programmes for installing energy efficiency boilers and for roof and window replacements.