An important consultation is taking place about Kingston’s Housing Strategy 2011-2015.  The draft Strategy and an Executive Summary can be accessed via the RBK website at www.kingston.gov.uk/housing_strategy.

RBK would very much like to hear your views on the Housing Strategy.  It has been prepared on behalf of the Kingston Strategic Housing Partnership and will be the subject of a broad consultation in the period up to 29 July.  The aim is formally to adopt it at the end of September 2011.

The key elements of the Strategy are

• To plan for more new housing, of all tenures, in suitable locations in Kingston and of the right size and quality; there will be a particular emphasis on new affordable housing using the new Affordable Rent Model.  This will be achieved while protecting and enhancing the character of the Borough.
• To plan for more new housing, of all tenures, in suitable locations in Kingston and of the right size and quality; there will be a particularemphasis on new  affordable housing using the new Affordable Rent Model.  This will be achieved while protecting and enhancing thecharacter of the Borough.
• To bring all Council homes up to the Decent Homes Standard by 2016 and talk to residents about the long term future of some of the larger housing estates
• To provide private owners with the advice and assistance they need to make their homes energy efficient
• To support a thriving private rental sector in Kingston, which provides accommodation for all income groups and which is well managed
• To provide co-ordinated advice and services to people who are having difficulty with their housing and to prevent and minimise  homelessness
• To exploit opportunities to improve other aspects of quality of life in the borough, for example, health or educational attainment, through improving housing provision.

If you would like to make a response to the draft Strategy, please send your comments to Heather Davies on email: heather.davies@rbk.kingston.gov.uk by 29^th July 2011.

If you wish you can also give your views in an online survey which can be accessed via the website link above.  There you will also find a short consultation booklet which summarises the main points in the Strategy.

RBK hopes you will take this opportunity to help build Kingston’s Housing Strategy and looks forward to hearing your views over the next few weeks.