Tackling fuel poverty, improving housing stock and building new homes, are just some of the key actions outlined in North Lanarkshire Council’s Local Housing Strategy (LHS).

The LHS sets out the council’s vision and priorities for the future of housing, and all housing related services across North Lanarkshire over the next five years.

From housing supply, homelessness and property condition; to energy efficiency, fuel poverty or older people’s housing, the strategy brings all of these areas together into one approach.

The strategy has been co-produced in partnership with our stakeholders including other registered social landlords, service providers, statutory bodies as well as our tenants, residents and elected members.

Further key actions set out include promoting the supply of good quality affordable housing; preventing homelessness and providing appropriate housing support, and ensuring there is a range of housing solutions and appropriate support to meet the needs of older households and those with specific needs.

Councillor Kaye Harmon, vice convener of the housing and social work services committee, said: “The new LHS comes at a challenging time for the council and its partners; we face significant reductions in public sector resources, as well as the ongoing uncertainty from welfare reforms that affect the lives of many local people while reducing the funding available to pay for housing services. At the same time we need to meet the needs of an increasingly elderly population and an increase in the overall number of households, as well as the continued need to address homelessness and fuel poverty.

“Despite these challenges I believe our LHS can, and will help deliver real improvements to people’s lives. Our action plan sets out how we’re going to help improve the quality and energy efficiency of our housing stock; build much needed new affordable homes and deliver a range of support services to help people achieve their potential.

“We will continue to build on our excellent track record of working in partnership to deliver positive housing outcomes for everyone in North Lanarkshire and contribute to the regeneration of our communities.”

Stakeholders told the local authority they want more affordable homes built across all tenures; affordable rents to be maintained and for the council to continue to improve homes in the social rented sector. Tackling antisocial behaviour and low demand housing while increasing awareness of the housing options advice on offer were other priorities, all of which form part of the new LHS.

Progress on the strategy will be reviewed annually with relevant key actions and indicators will be reported as part of wider monitoring arrangements.