Council launches plan to ease housing shortages

A Devon council has agreed an annual housing action plan that aims to address housing shortages and increased demand for temporary accommodation.

The plan, agreed at West Devon Borough Council's hub committee on 11 March, identified a number of projects to help increase the housing stock.

The council said it was already working towards a number of recommendations outlined in the Devon Housing Commission report published in July 2024.

Councillors also agreed to charge council tax premiums on second homes.

The authority said projects which have been identified as part of the action plan include:

• Three new flats on Plymouth Road in Tavistock to be used as temporary accommodation for homeless households
• The purchase of eight homes through the Local Authority Housing Fund, with plans for a further three, attracting 40% in government grants for match funding
• Sixteen new energy efficient lower cost homes in Lifton, delivered by Plymouth Community Homes, with 10 offered for social rent and six through shared ownership
• Expansion of Pilchers Field in Crapstone, providing five new assisted supported living homes

It said they would be delivered through the council's housing and homelessness strategies.

From 1 April, councils will be able to charge up to two times the normal council tax on second homes.

Agreeing to the scheme, councillors said the money it raises would be set aside to improve housing in the borough.

Councillor Mark Renders, hub member for Housing at West Devon Borough Council, said: "We are proud of the work we are doing to help tackle the housing crisis and we remain committed to supporting our residents with their housing needs."