Have your say on our housing strategy for tenants

Not everybody is able to afford to buy or rent on the open market and are therefore reliant on affordable housing. We don't have any Council housing of our own to rent to those in need. Instead, we are working with local, not for profit, housing providers, who advertise affordable rented properties (referred to as 'social housing') via a website called Cheshire Homechoice. 

This is where people can make an application for social housing. Homechoice offers access to affordable homes for people wanting to rent or buy a new home. The number of people on Cheshire Homechoice exceeds the number of affordable housing properties available. The number is increasing each year.

To help address housing demand in Cheshire East, there must be an efficient use of social housing, an increase in the delivery of affordable housing and continued support provided to vulnerable households. This includes working with households to enable them to make informed decisions about their housing options.

The proposed tenancy strategy sets out our expectations that landlords should continue to offer long-term tenancies, using shorter, fixed-term tenancies as the exception.     

Members of our cabinet agreed the draft strategy at their online virtual meeting on 6th October 2020. Landlords, social housing applicants on Cheshire HomeChoice, residents and any other interested parties are invited to take part in a consultation to share their views on the draft tenancy strategy. 

Councillor Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Cabinet Member for Environment and Regeneration said: “Cheshire East is a great place to live, work, study and visit. It is well placed for the continued opportunities that our thriving, jobs market is providing across all areas of the borough. 

“The strategy outlines the Council’s actions to achieve aims and objectives for housing in the borough, working to improve the quality, choice and supply of housing for current and future residents. 

“With a population of 376,700 and estimated to grow to 427,100 by 2030 [13.4 percent increase], housing of the right type and in the right place is an important part of supporting sustainable growth which is why it’s so important that both tenants and landlords have their say, to give us their thoughts and feedback that will help to shape the new tenancy strategy.”

Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the consultation will be completed via an electronic survey. This can be accessed here 

Before completing the survey, residents can review the 2020 strategy, which shows the intention to make sure that the best use is made of Cheshire East affordable housing stock to meet local housing need, to benefit vulnerable households, contribute to strengthened communities, and enable households to make realistic choices based on their own circumstances.

The closing date for the consultation is 18th January 2021. Residents are urged to use this opportunity to have their say.