Labours Draft Housing Strategy 2025-2030
A Perspective
& Plea
Labour Cabinet Telford and Wrekin Council
I’m writing this as a resident, and a disabled person, and as someone who wants our borough to be fairer and safer for everyone. Labour-led Telford and Wrekin Council have published a draft housing strategy for 2025 to 2030 and asked for our feedback, but there’s only 11 days to respond.
What I’m seeing in the draft:
There are some positive steps in the plan, but the strategy does not do enough to protect and support people with disabilities, older people, and those who are vulnerable.
The plan talks about “reference to vulnerable groups” in a superficial way, but it doesn’t set concrete, time-bound actions to fix the issues people face day to day.
As the Green Party Disability Officer, I’ve suggested a practical set of actions that would not only help disabled and vulnerable residents but would also improve things for everyone in the borough.
The Bottom Line
We need a housing strategy that hardwires accessibility and prevents homelessness, not one that only talks about it. Below are the top actions I recommend, organised by goals and expected results over five years.
Top Actions for Housing Accessibility & Homelessness Prevention
1) Accessibility Standards and Quotas
Set minimum quotas for accessibility (at least 10% M4(2)/M4(3)) in new builds
Why it matters: This makes sure new houses are accessible from day one, not something that sits on a shelf waiting to be adapted later. It helps with hospital discharges faster and cuts down backlogs.
What to track: % of new homes that meet M4(2)/M4(3) standards; average wait time for wheelchair-accessible homes; reduced spend on Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) per person.
Accessibility-first upgrades and streamlined DFGs
Why it matters: Bundle home adaptations with retrofit visits so people can move more easily, stay independent, and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
What to track: Time to complete upgrades; falls and injuries prevented; care costs saved.
Record accessibility needs on waiting lists
Why it matters: If the council and housing associations know what people actually need, they can match people to the right homes and avoid failed tenancies.
What to track: % lets matching stated needs; fewer failed tenancies; shorter void times for adapted stock.
2) Homelessness Prevention Initiatives
Guarantee no eviction into homelessness for council/partner landlords
Why it matters: Keeps families and individuals in stable housing and shifts culture toward early support and resolution.
Five-year aim: fewer people ending up homeless due to eviction; better arrears resolution with support; prevent temporary accommodation (TA) use.
Expand Housing First and rapid rehousing with multidisciplinary teams
Why it matters: This approach has the strongest track record for ending chronic homelessness and easing pressure on police, A&E, and temporary housing.
Five-year aim: Tenancies sustained at 12–24 months; fewer people sleeping rough.
Jointly commission extra care, supported living, and move-on units
Why it matters: Right-sizing care and housing frees up hospital beds and stabilizes high-need households.
Five-year aim: Move-on from hospitals/hostels; fewer delayed discharges; costs of care avoided.
Multi-agency panels for complex cases and fast-track hospital discharge
Why it matters: Breaks down silos and speeds the path from hospital to stable housing for the highest-need groups.
Five-year aim: Shorter medically-fit stays; lower readmission rates; faster placement after a referral.
Fast-track Disabled Facilities Grants and minor adaptations (urgent ≤10 working days)
Why it matters: Keeps people safe at home, reduces falls and admissions, and speeds discharge.
Five-year aim: Faster completion times; fewer falls and admissions; higher independence scores.
Targeted pathways for priority groups
Why it matters: Builds clear routes for people at the biggest risk of homelessness or exploitation.
Five-year aim: Fewer planned exits into homelessness; more sustainable tenancies; fewer safeguarding incidents.
Assertive outreach with dedicated navigators
Why it matters: Reaches out to the hardest-to-engage groups and helps them move from streets to stable housing.
Five-year aim: Fewer people living on the street; better engagement with services; fewer A&E visits.
3) System-Level Improvements
Performance transparency (accessible dashboards)
Why it matters: You should be able to see how the system is doing, including how quickly damp/mould issues are fixed.
Outcome: Open data on response times, repairs, and outcomes.
Local workforce development
Why it matters: Builds local skills to deliver the housing projects faster and supports the local economy.
Outcome: More trained workers locally; faster project delivery.
Support for adaptations (hardship funds / zero-interest loans)
Why it matters: Some people miss out on grants; loans and hardship funds can plug the gaps and keep tenancies stable.
Outcome: Fewer hardships; more stable tenancies.
Climate change mitigation upgrades to existing homes
Why it matters: Better insulation, ventilation, and efficiency reduce fuel poverty and improve health.
Outcome: Warmer homes, lower energy bills, healthier residents.
Revitalising empty homes (prioritise adaptable units)
Why it matters: Bringing empty homes back into use is a quick way to increase supply, especially for vulnerable households.
Outcome: More adaptable homes ready for occupation.
4) Additional Recommendations
Incentivise adapted homes in the private rented sector
Why it matters: Private landlords can help reduce the accessibility gap if there are incentives and checks in place.
Co-design initiatives
Why it matters: Disabled residents should have a real say in how housing schemes are designed so they work for real people.
Final thoughts
This isn’t just about building more homes. It’s about making sure the homes we build and the way we support people in getting and keeping them works for everyone, including disabled and vulnerable residents.
If we want a fairer borough, these practical steps need to be part of the plan, not afterthoughts.
What I’m Asking You To Do
Read the draft housing strategy and consider these concrete actions.
If you agree, tell the council that these should be priorities, with clear timelines and accountability.
Push for a more transparent process: dashboards, reporting, and visible progress on each action.
Remember, there are only 11 days to respond. If you’re unsure where to start, you can cite the key points above and ask for:
a minimum 10% M4(2)/M4(3) quota in new builds,
fast-track adaptations (urgent ≤10 days),
a clear plan for Housing First and move-on units with measurable outcomes, and
a robust co-design approach involving disabled residents.
Let’s make sure our housing strategy really works for disabled people, the chronically vulnerable, and everyone else in Telford and Wrekin.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please have your say before the deadline.
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