Help shape Norwich’s Housing Strategy 2013-2018

As part of Norwich City Council’s aim to make Norwich a prosperous city with decent housing for all, we are renewing our housing strategy to respond to the changes and challenges taking place in the housing market. We particularly want to examine the influence housing has on economic prosperity, health and wellbeing.

Challenges facing Norwich include:

• making provision for significant growth in housing and employment
• making the most of opportunities presented by the new emphasis on local issues and decision-making, rather than simply responding to national and regional priorities
• social housing reforms
• cuts in government funding requiring us to identify new ways of supplying affordable housing
• a significant proportion of privately-owned homes in poor condition
• the effect of welfare reform and housing benefit changes on people’s ability to meet their housing needs
• the call for more jobs and training opportunities
• a growing demand for privately rented homes leading to higher rents

If you believe that you could help us to inform and shape our strategy, we would like to invite you to a workshop on 19 September 2012, between 2pm and 4pm, at the Kings Centre, King Street, Norwich.

We want to hear different perspectives on the importance of and how to respond to the above challenges. We hope that you, or a nominated representative, will be able to attend.

Please indicate your attendance by 14 September 2012 by emailingstrategichousing@norwich.gov.uk and tell us whether you have any access or additional requirements. Further details, including the programme, will be sent to you nearer the time.

To help you to prepare,please see the attached document which summarises some key housing facts.