A warm welcome to your new website
We’ve made improvements to help you find what you need more easily. If anything doesn’t work as expected, please let us know using the feedback button below.
Local Housing Strategy
The local housing strategy is the strategic document which sets out the vision for housing and housing related services for 5 years
What is the local housing strategy
1. What is the local housing strategy (LHS)
4. Who is responsible for the LHS
1. What is the local housing strategy (LHS)
The local housing strategy is the strategic document which sets out the vision for housing and housing related services for 5 years. Our current LHS was adopted in April 2024 following approval from the Scottish Government and will remain in place until 2029. The LHS provides information on the current challenges within the housing system of East Lothian and sets out actions to be taken by the council along with the council's partners.The actions will shape investment in affordable housing, energy efficiency measures, homelessness and a range of other areas, across all tenures.
2. Why do we need an LHS
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, requires all Councils to have an LHS. The purpose of the strategy is to identify and tackle the key areas of concern for housing across all housing tenures.
3. Key Principles
Five key principles underpin the LHS 2024-29:
- communities are supported to flourish, be distinctive and well connected
- housing supply is accessible, affordable, and provides a range of choices to meet the needs of households
- homelessness is prevented as far as possible, where unavoidable a rapid response with the appropriat support is provided
- housing and support services are effective, accessible to, and will meet the needs of those most vulnerable in the community
- all homes are maintained to a high standard, are energy efficient and contribute to meeting climate change targets
4. Who is responsible for the LHS
East Lothian Council's housing strategy team lead on the research, development and monitoring of the LHS. All of the work is overseen by a project team with representatives from across the local authority, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and East Lothian's tenants and residents panel (ELTRP). The LHS has to be signed off by council before it is submitted to the Scottish Government for approval.
To create the LHS the housing strategy team undertook a wide range of research, including local engagement and consultation. Views of over 1,300 people were taken into consideration through activities such as:
- consultation events in all 6 area partnerships
- drop-in sessions at community groups
- focus groups
- workshops for key stakeholders and staff.