Peterborough City Council's Cabinet will be asked to approve a draft housing strategy which will look to support the city's growth agenda, secure regeneration and improvements to existing housing and meet existing and future housing needs.

The strategy includes four priority areas: supporting the delivery of substantial yet sustainable growth; securing the regeneration and improvements to Peterborough's housing stock; meeting existing and future housing needs; and encouraging the development of mixed and sustainable communities.

The strategy looks to ensure that growth is both sustainable and to high environmental standards. Key areas include maximising the supply of affordable homes, ensuring there is a supply of suitable accommodation for Peterborough's growing student population, tackling empty homes, addressing serious disrepair and improving living conditions in private housing and maximising the energy efficiency of existing homes. The strategy also makes a commitment to ensure that new housing developments are planned and managed to ensure a sense of community, and looks to prevent and alleviate homelessness and rough sleeping in Peterborough.

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The draft strategy also includes a Strategic Tenancy Policy which outlines what the council expects from housing associations, including guidance on the minimum length of tenancy agreements and the appropriate cap for rent levels for homes let as 'affordable rent'.

Councillor Marco Cereste, Leader of the city council and Cabinet Member for Growth, Strategic Planning, Economic Development and Business Engagement, said: "The draft housing strategy is a crucial document for this city and will benefit everyone who lives in Peterborough now and in the future. It outlines the approach and future vision the city will take to meet its existing and future needs.

"We have ambitions growth plans to create a bigger and better Peterborough and good quality housing is fundamental to this vision. Providing good quality affordable housing, ensuring all new and existing homes are as energy efficient as possible and making the most of our existing homes are all key areas which this draft housing strategy incorporates."

(CD)