Housing Strategies, Consultations and Research

“To realise the potential of communities by ensuring that people have access to affordable, sufficient and suitable housing in Argyll & Bute”

The Council no longer has its own housing since transferring stock to ACHA in 2006. However, as the Strategic Housing Authority the Council has a number of statutory duties and responsibilities in terms of delivery and investment of affordable housing, and improving house condition across all housing sectors.

The following documents set out our statutory housing duties and show how Argyll and Bute Council and its partners will tackle the housing issues in our area. They detail the housing issues, the positive improvements that we want to see and what we will do to help make these changes happen.

Local Housing Strategy 2011-2016

The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) and associated annexes set out Argyll & Bute Council’s vision for housing over a five year period. The strategy outlines practical actions with specific targets to deliver over all tenures and aspects of the housing service.

Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2011-2016

The Strategic Housing Investment plan (SHIP) is the key statement of housing development priorities in the Argyll & Bute area. This plan guides the allocation of government and other funding and is a formal Annex to the LHS.  

Section 72 Statement of Assistance for Private Sector Housing

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 requires the local authority to prepare a statement setting out the assistance available for private sector owners, landlords and tenants to improve the condition of their housing and provide adaptations for disabled people.

The Empty Homes Strategy 2011-2016

Making best use of existing houses is a key part of the LHS. Empty homes are a particular issue in Argyll and Bute and this strategy examines the issues and outlines an action plan to work with owners to bring empty property back to effective housing usage.

The Housing Information and Advice Strategy 2011-2016 

Information and advice is central to helping people meet their housing needs. This strategy outlines the steps to be taken by the Council and its partners to provide information and advice services across the diverse council area and is a formal Annex to the LHS.

Housing Needs and Demand Assessment

Local strategic planning for housing is driven by the assessment of housing need. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 places a duty on local authorities to develop Local Housing Strategies, informed by an assessment of housing need and demand in their area.

The Housing Needs and Demand Assessment final report is the result of comprehensive research on the housing systems in the various housing market areas of Argyll & Bute.

Equality Impact Assessment

The purpose of the Equality Impact Assessment is to help ensure that the Council does not discriminate and that where possible the Council utilises opportunities to promote equality and good relations between groups

Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report

Argyll and Bute Council consulted the consultation authorities referred to below via SEA Gateway with its SEA Screening Report on 23rd June 2011 setting out its reasons as to why it was of the opinion that the Strategy was not likely to have significant environmental effects.

Pressured Area Designation

In November 2011, the Council Executive approved Pressured Area Designation for the Modernised RTB tenancies in the housing market areas of Cowal, Mid-Argyll; Islay, Jura & Colonsay; Lorn; Mull & Iona; Coll & Tiree; and Helensburgh & Lomond.  

This means from 31st January 2012, eligible Housing Association tenants (those who commenced their tenancy after 30th September 2002) in the designated areas have had the “Right to Buy” their house suspended initially for a period of ten years. 

For further information please refer to documents in links above.

Consultations/Research

There are currently no ongoing consultations in relation to Housing Services but please check back regularly for any updates.

Contact Details

If you require any further information regarding any of the information on this page or have a query regarding housing strategies please do not hesitate to contact the team at:

Housing Services
Argyll and Bute Council
Dolphin Hall
Manse Avenue
DUNOON

Telephone: 01369 708672 or 01369 708679
Email: allan.brandie@argyll-bute.gov.uk or kelly.ferns@argyll-bute.gov.uk