Breckland conference on housing needs

The future of housing provision in Breckland was the topic of a successful conference at Barnham Broom when more than 80 people attended the Housing Strategy Consultation event with representatives from many of the key partners involved in delivering housing and housing support services across the district.

Anita Brennan, strategic housing manager at Breckland Council said: “There are many factors influencing current and future housing provision. Obviously the economic climate is playing its part and we also face challenges around the long term growth of Breckland.

“The purpose of the day was to review the current housing climate, examine the challenges and identify targeted actions. I was extremely pleased with the enthusiasm and imagination shown on the day which resulted in many ideas for the new housing strategy that will take us to 2013.

“Our next step is to put all of this work into a document which will be open for consultation by the end of the summer. The end result will be a meaningful strategy which all of the stakeholders have helped to create, aimed at providing affordable housing.

“I would like to express my thanks to everyone that attended. This included representatives from voluntary and community organisations, statutory agencies, Homes and Communities Agency, Registered Social Landlords and town and parish councils to name but a few. “

Pip Coker from Julian Housing Support Trust, a registered charity which provides housing and support services for people with mental health problems said: “It is extremely important for organisations like ours to be involved in this process because the strategy has to reflect the diverse needs of the community. I am very grateful to Breckland Council for facilitating this event.”