Improve the experience of accessing social and affordable housing through the common housing register to address housing and health inequalities

This priority aims to allocate housing to those most in need through a review of the Cumbria Choice allocations policy and making access to the website easier to navigate, as well as developing a nominations process to allow the council to find housing for households they are working with.

Have a sufficient and improved supply of housing to meet need and demand

This priority aims to ensure that a variety of housing options are available for all, whether that is on the open market or affordable housing.

Support people to stay at home

This priority aims to allow people to live independently through providing information, implementing a range of policies and grant funding opportunities as well as introducing technology in to homes where it is needed and delivered by Cumberland's new Home Improvement Agency.

Improve the council's information platform

This priority aims to make the right information accessible to help people to navigate to the services they require to meet their needs.

Meet the annual affordable housing supply need

This priority aims to build thriving communities by utilising various approaches to provide a range of housing wherever it is needed.

Develop policies that allow housing to support mixed and balanced communities

This priority aims to ensure that the council can develop Cumberland-wide policies to ensure a range of accessible affordable housing for local households and support other council policies.

Seek opportunities to intervene in the housing market to facilitate affordable and suitable housing

This priority aims to identify ways the council can become pro-active, innovative and collaborative in the housing market.

Investigate ways to mitigate the effects of second homes and holiday lets 

This priority aims to enable internal and external partners to provide solutions to the issues of second homes and holiday lets.

Maintain and improve standards across Cumberland's Housing Stock

This priority aims to provide information to residents and landlords, build upon the council's understanding of the private rented sector, and take enforcement action against landlords where necessary.

Damp and mould

This priority aims to increase awareness of the issues around damp and mould for front-line council officers, tenants and landlords and develop a process to respond to complaints of damp and mould.

Raise the profile of housing enforcement

This priority aims to enable the council to understand and monitor legislative changes that affect the work of housing enforcement officers and build them into Cumberland policies and processes.

Improve housing standards to increase sustainable warmth, EPC ratings and contribute to Net Zero targets

This priority aims to improve the health and wellbeing of residents by working with partners to facilitate better housing conditions, providing grant funding to retrofit homes to improve thermal comfort, help reduce bills for low-income households.

Address empty homes to improve communities

This priority aims to allow communities to prosper, and aides the council to take action against property owners and have procedures in place to drive forward empty homes with options to work with partners to develop funding opportunities for owners. 

Understand the role of the council in making higher risk buildings in our communities safe

This priority aims to increase council and resident awareness of the measures available to them to increase the safety of higher risk buildings and be clear about the role and responsibilities of the lead regulator.

Develop policies and strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders

This priority aims to facilitate working with internal and external partners to provide a joined-up approach to housing across a range of functions and sectors.

Developers

This priority aims to build relationships with all house builders to increase the supply of housing in Cumberland, and to facilitate early collaboration on all developments.

Communities and businesses

This priority aims to raise community involvement with housing issues across Cumberland and allow communities to identify their own solutions and build relationships with businesses in communities where housing development or growth is being considered.

Funding partners

This priority aims to increase the council’s understanding of funding available to provide housing in Cumberland, and the issues and challenges faced by funding providers.

Lobbying groups

This priority aims to enable the council to work collaboratively with national and local consortiums to ensure that the views of Cumberland Council are heard, to influence national policy making.