Working together to manage a growing population
Our goal is to manage growth so that it works positively for Camden
Why this issue is important
Camden’s resident population is expected to increase by 10% between now and 2016 if current trends continue. Not everyone welcomes that prospect. Up to 30% of Camden’s current households are overcrowded, compared with 7% nationally, and demand for all types of social housing, supported housing and residential services outstrips supply. This affects families’ health and well-being and impacts on young people’s educational attainment.
Having affordable housing is a top priority for people in the borough, including those on average incomes. We need to plan for an even larger population so that our infrastructure, services and housing can rise to the challenge of these increasing demands.
What is already being done
The redevelopment of King’s Cross will provide 1700 new homes, including 750 affordable homes and 650 student units. But most new housing comes through redeveloping existing sites and buildings. Existing sites have already been redeveloped for ‘mixed-use development’ - for example housing and business - and for family sized accommodation.
The Council supports people to move to smaller homes and has developed supported housing for children leaving care and vulnerable teenagers. To upgrade the Council’s own housing stock, proposals are being developed linked to wider regeneration work which focuses on decent places. At the Chalcots Estate in Swiss Cottage there is already a £144 million Private Finance Scheme.
The Council is also looking at under-occupation and overcrowding to get better use of existing Council housing.
Here are some of the specific aims we are working towards:
- increasing the provision of affordable housing and making supported housing work better for everyone
- improving the quality and availability of social housing
- bringing empty properties back into use
- preventing homelessness
What people have told us
Housing was one of the most common issues raised in the consultation. Many people were concerned about a growing population, particularly about a lack of affordable housing and the need for more family accommodation. Some people were unwilling to have development in their own area and others wanted existing residents to have priority over new residents.
What the Council and its partners will do
- work to meet housing challenges in the borough for all types of housing in terms of supply, affordability and mix of sizes, including through planning policies in the Council's forthcoming Local Development Framework
- ensure all developments are high quality, sustainable and sensitively designed, with an appropriate mix of uses, and supported by social and economic infrastructure including employment, health centres, leisure, retail, community and education facilities and waste disposal
- work with tenants to raise the standard of social housing across the borough and regenerate individual estates
- establish a Council-led partnership with Registered Social Landlords and other housing players to jointly tackle housing supply and related issues such as community safety and energy efficiency
How local people can contribute
- using local services, and community and other neighbourhood facilities
- considering offering to rent a spare room or moving to smaller accommodation if, for example, your family circumstances have changed
- being open-minded about housing that may be outside of the borough
- if you are a landlord, bringing your empty properties back into use
