Decent Homes for Local People

The types of projects carried out by the Housing Associations include new build, refurbishment and conversion of existing buildings, the purchase of houses and flats from the open market and the leasing of properties from private landlords and owners. Most new affordable housing developments are on brown field sites, often in or near Town Centres and for mixed-use e.g. flats over offices or shops, or as part of larger housing developments.

A broad range of affordable housing is required in Torbay for local people. Recent developments include sheltered housing for the elderly, supported and special needs housing. However, most developments have been for general needs housing for families, couples and single households.

To promote social inclusion and mixed tenure development, Housing Associations develop homes for affordable rent and for shared ownership sale (part purchase-part rent). Many of the Associations also develop sub-market and market rented housing as well as homes for outright sale either with or without a Developer/ Commercial Partner.

To ensure that affordable rented homes remain affordable in the longer term, the rents charged by Housing Associations are regulated by The Housing Corporation to ensure parity and compliance to 'Rent Restructuring'. Shared ownership provides an affordable opportunity for first time buyers to purchase their own home.

Housing Associations manage, maintain and repair their properties to a high standard with dedicated Housing, Support and Technical professionals, in line with agreed Performance targets.

The majority of homes are allocated under approved Nominations Policies between the Council and Association, to ensure that households are prioritised by their housing need; this includes factors such as a local connection to Torbay. Other homes are allocated to existing RSL tenants requiring a transfer due to changes in their circumstances. Increasingly, Associations agree Local Lettings Plans for new developments and larger existing schemes; this enables a greater scope of households to be allocated homes and ensures issues such as child density are addressed.

Housing Associations are governed by their Board of Management, which include Tenant representatives.

Richard Conolly
Development Manager

Signpost Housing Association