Housing Strategy Team Monthly Update- September
Final Consultations for the Upcoming Local Housing Strategy
This September, the Housing Strategy Team concluded the initial consultations for the upcoming Local Housing Strategy with a visit to Osbourne Court- sheltered housing in Cockenzie for those of retirement age.
There, residents raised concerns including the rising cost of living, energy efficiency and keeping homes warm this winter. Additionally, residents spoke of communal life within sheltered housing, including sharing spaces and relationships with the community.
Research gathered through theses consultations, which began in April, will be processed by the Housing Strategy Team and a draft of the Local Housing Strategy will be written. Following this, the draft will go out for public consultation, with opinions considered and necessary amendments made.
North Berwick Children and Young People Network
We met with members of the North Berwick Children and Young People Network to present the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment we have been working on alongside Children’s Services. This document identifies children with different vulnerabilities; amongst others: care-experienced children; young carers; and children with disabilities. The document outlines children’s current and future housing needs as well as their interrelated social care needs and will give recommendations on future actions and service improvements. The work was welcomed by the working group and they are looking forward to the final findings.
Visiting LAR’s Mid-Market Homes
Members of the Housing Strategy Team went along to a construction site visit, organised through the Scottish Housing Network. They, amongst others, were shown round a new development of Mid-Market Homes within North Queensferry, being provided by LAR- a Scottish Housing Trust.
Volunteer Centre East Lothian’s (VCEL) Poverty Conference
We attended VCEL’s Poverty Conference, to listen to presentations from professionals, questions answered by panels and to discuss the meaning of poverty and how the current cost of living crisis is, or could, impact communities in East Lothian.