Councillors in Dundee will discuss major public housing documents next week.

The series of documents include updated versions of Dundee City Council's empty homes strategy, five-year strategic investment plan and the annual review of rents, which are each aimed at protecting and enhancing public housing.

"To be able to deliver strong communities where people feel empowered, safe and proud to live and where the root causes of poverty are being tackled needs a good supply of warm, easy to heat homes," said Mark Flynn, convener of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee.

"But these things do not appear from nowhere, they need detailed, well thought out and realistic documents like these to put down in black and white what we need to do, how we are going to do it and how long it is going to take to get where we want to be."

The new 22-page empty homes strategy aims to build on the 132 empty homes already brought back into use by using the 1,067 unoccupied houses in the city to provide accommodation.

-- Advertisement --

Meanwhile, the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2025-2030 sets out Dundee's affordable housing priorities for the next five years and aims to ensure that the city continues to successfully deliver new-build affordable housing for rent.

According to the SHIP. the council will work with partners to ensure that all new build properties constructed within the investment programme meet or surpass the current building regulations.

In addition, where possible energy efficiency measures such as insulation, solar energy, wind power or other suitable measures will be integrated into the construction to help reduce carbon emissions, address fuel poverty and ensure that tenants live in warm, affordable homes.

Members of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee will be asked to approve discussions with tenants on annual increases ranging from an average of £3.92 to £4.36 per week.

Council house tenants could be consulted on three proposed rent increases between 4.5% and 5% if councillors back the move.

During the two-month consultation as many tenants as possible will be encouraged to share their views on the three options before a report is prepared and considered in January.

Lynne Short, deputy convener of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee, said: "The framework that these policies and others provides is crucial not only to delivering on our goals, but also in allowing people to see what progress is being made towards them over time."

Cllr Flynn added: "Every year we try to offer tenants a balanced choice between services remaining at the same high standard they have now or giving the council additional resources to spend more on the things tenants have told us that they want, such as tackling anti-social behaviour."

The neighbourhood resources, housing and estate management committee meets on Monday (October 28).