Let the public have their say on the Citywide Housing Strategy

A new housing strategy to ensure everyone in Sheffield has access to a home that is safe, affordable and ready for a changing climate is to launch a full public consultation.

The new city-wide strategy will see Sheffield City Council working with partners over the next 10 years to enable all our communities to have access to homes and neighborhoods that meet their needs.

It covers private, rented and social housing and aims to raise standards across the board.

The first stage of public consultation with residents took place earlier this year (2024) to gain initial views on the Strategy.

Today (Thursday 30^th May), that draft strategy was seen by Sheffield City Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee. They approved a second phase of public consultation to be held in July for people to have their say on the updated plans.

To participate, people can go to the Have Your Word website. Residents are asked to keep an eye on the Council’s social media channels to see when the consultation will be available in July to take part.

Councilor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, said:

“Everyone should have a safe, secure and affordable place to call home. Good quality homes are fundamental to enabling everyone to live happy and healthy lives.

“Sheffield is a growing city. The Housing Strategy will ensure we build the new homes we need, tackle climate change, create great neighborhoods and ensure we meet the aspirations of the people of Sheffield.”

By 2034, the new Housing Strategy aims to:

• Make sure Sheffield has enough homes to meet the aspirations of our communities and support the city to thrive
• Reduce residential carbon emissions to net zero by 2030
• Allow residents to enjoy safe, good quality homes that are easy to keep warm or cool
• Enable our communities to live in neighborhoods that are thriving and safe places to live that they are happy to call home
• Provide the framework for every resident to have a home and the support they need to live a healthy life

The strategy is for everyone who calls Sheffield home and will shape how the Council works with local, regional and national partners to build on the city’s existing housing strengths and make improvements where they are needed. It will also continue the Council’s efforts to eradicate homelessness in the city.

Councilor Hunt added:

“This housing strategy has been developed with partners and in consultation with residents. It is for everyone who lives in Sheffield, from the youngest to the oldest, and for those who want to make Sheffield their home in the future.

“Due to strong housing demand, Sheffield City Council is committed to delivering 35,500 new homes over the next 15 years. This will mean new neighborhoods are being created and we look forward to working with partners and residents to help bring our plans to fruition.”

In recent years the Council has seen unprecedented demand for housing across the city. Demand for social housing has never been higher and there is a shortage of both privately rented and affordable homes to buy.

This strategy will seek to reverse this trend and work with partners from the private, voluntary and community sectors to ensure that targets remain focused on what the people of Sheffield need.

It is also central to the delivery of the Council’s Housing Plan, where the Council has made ‘People, Prosperity and Planet’ the focus of everything it does with a desire to see clean, green and safe neighborhoods to live in and the visit.

Following this second round of consultation, the final Strategy is planned to be presented to the Strategy and Resources committee meeting in the autumn for full approval and ratification.

Read the full report to the committee here.