By Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet member for Housing & Homelessness, Folkestone & Hythe District Council
Like the rest of the country, the Folkestone & Hythe district is suffering the devastating impact of 40+ years of housing policy that has focused on creating assets rather than homes. We are in a housing crisis but, given the right funding and support, councils can be at the forefront of turning the tide. I am excited and privileged to be responsible for the council’s housing portfolio at this critical time.
The council has ambitious plans to increase the number of affordable homes across the district. While we have 3,500 council homes, we have around 1,400 households on the waiting list. With less than 300 homes becoming available last year, the case for more council houses is clear.
The council is working hard to secure as many new homes as possible. I was absolutely delighted that we recently secured 44 new homes to be built at Risborough Barracks, Folkestone. Crucially, the council has negotiated for these homes to have benefits such as solar panels and electric heating. This means that tenants will have comfortable energy efficient homes from day one and there won’t be the expense and disruption of major retrofitting later.
As well as making sure that any homes we add to the council’s stock are as low energy in use as possible, we have 3,500 existing homes that we need to look after and bring up to scratch as far as energy performance is concerned. We have made huge progress on this and now have an award-winning team working through retrofit measures to bring all our stock up to at least EPC C rating by 2030. There’s a real and positive impact for council tenants who have had solar panels, insulation and even heat pumps added to their homes. People are saving money and homes are warmer and more comfortable – in an ongoing cost of living crisis, that makes a real difference. And that’s even before you consider the significant carbon savings!
There’s a lot to do and there’s no quick fix. But as Greens we are committed to working towards everyone having a warm, secure and affordable place to call home.
Of course not everyone has a safe place to call home. Homelessness takes different forms, many of them more or less hidden from wider society, such as sofa surfing or being in temporary accommodation. Rough sleeping is the most visible form with many rough sleepers having complex needs, compounded by the length of time they might have spent on the streets. The council works with a wide range of partners to help people get into homes as soon as possible, but this can be a lengthy and intensive process.
With political will and properly funded, homelessness, in all its forms, could and must be eradicated.
Rough sleeping at any time of year is dangerous, but the cold weather adds yet another extreme risk. The council and partners work hard to ensure that during severe weather, anyone rough sleeping has the offer of place to sleep.
If you’re able to you might wish to consider a donation to a local organisation such as the Rainbow Centre:
https://www.rainbow-centre.org/get-involved/ways-to-donate/
You can access advice on housing and homelessness on the council website:
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/housing
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/homeless/help-for-rough-sleepers
Detailed housing advice can also be found at the charity Shelter:
Councillor Rebecca Shoob: Leading action to address the housing crisis and help people experiencing homelessness.
