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Housing strategy and policy

Information about the council's housing and homelessness strategy, the role of the housing strategy team and fuel poverty.

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Does the council have a housing strategy?

Yes. The council's current Housing Strategy is available via the link below.

The vision for the strategy is: "To facilitate the delivery of more new homes and to ensure that the quality, type, and size of all housing meets the needs of our urban, rural, and coastal communities, which in turn will support economic growth, prosperity and wellbeing."

East Riding Housing Strategy (November 2023) (pdf 612kb)

The Strategy will be reviewed at the mid-point (2026/27) of the period it covers, to assess whether a more detailed update is required. The action plan is monitored and updated regularly and will feed into the mid-point review. The information below provides an updated position at the end of March 2025.

East Riding Housing Strategy - Action Plan (pdf 457kb)


Find out more about the housing strategy:

The current strategy recognises that the majority of housing in the East Riding of Yorkshire is privately owned (either rented or owner occupation). It provides a strong focus on helping people to access suitable, affordable housing with a view to resolving issues of housing need and improving living conditions for the most vulnerable residents.

The strategy promotes the current national policy to increase access to homeownership but also focusses on opportunities to deliver other forms of affordable housing such as social rent where there is an identified need. In addition, improving the quality of existing housing through financial and non-financial assistance and ensuring that there is the right range of housing-related support to help people access and maintain appropriate accommodation will promote independent living and prevent costs from being transferred to other service areas such as the NHS, homelessness or social care.

Therefore the East Riding Housing Strategy has strong linkages to partner strategies and relies on working closely with other agencies including the voluntary and community sector to deliver its ambitions.

  • Objective 1: Increase housing supply
  • Objective 2: Help people find and keep homes they can afford
  • Objective 3: Provide safe good quality homes
  • Objective 4: Provide housing which is appropriate for people's needs.

Is the council undertaking any housing needs surveys at the moment?

The council often undertakes housing need surveys for specific areas to better understand the need for affordable housing within the region. This includes rural areas. The council is not currently running any surveys.

Does the council have a tenancy strategy?

The Localism Act 2011 requires all English housing authorities to prepare and publish a tenancy strategy which sets out the types of tenancies offered by the council and housing associations operating in the East Riding:

Tenancy Strategy (pdf 162kb)

Does the council have a tenancy policy?

Yes. The tenancy policy sets out:

  • the type and length of tenancies the council is to offer
  • the council's policy on succession rights for existing and new tenants
  • the council's policy on assignment.

Tenancy Policy (pdf 166kb)

Does the council have a homelessness strategy?

Yes, the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2023-28 sets out how we will work with households to prevent them from becoming homeless wherever possible, or to assist them in finding alternative accommodation.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 has introduced additional duties for local authorities relating to homeless prevention and relief, by extending our duty to more households and for longer.

Where homelessness cannot be avoided the strategy sets out our approach to formal homeless applications and the provision of temporary accommodation where appropriate.

We are continuing to work with partner agencies to minimise the incidence of rough sleeping and assist individuals to access accommodation.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2023-28 (pdf 540kb)

What assistance do we offer to residents to adapt or improve their home?

We have prepared a Housing Assistance Policy that sets out what the council could provide to assist people living in their own homes. This includes aids and adaptations, homes security, renewable technology, and insulation.

Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy 2024-27 (pdf 800kb)

Housing Assistance Policy for Council Tenants 2024-27 (417kb)

Has the council submitted a home energy conservation act report?

Yes. The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 recognises that local authorities have an important role to play in helping others to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The Act places a duty on local councils to report back to the government every two years, outlining the progress made in this period and their plans for the future. A copy of the 2023 report is available to view below, the format of which sets out the Council's response to questions asked by Government of all local authorities.

Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Report - 2023 (pdf 338kb)

Does the council have an empty homes strategy?

The Empty Homes Strategy is currently under review.

The strategy will ensure that the best use is made of existing housing stock, reducing its risk of falling into decline and causing a blight on local communities.

By encouraging the reuse of empty homes the council can reduce the pressure on greenfield development whilst delivering much-needed homes.

Does the council have a decant policy for council house tenants?

A council house "decant" occurs when you must move out of your home, either temporarily or permanently, because it is uninhabitable or requires major work.

The Decant Policy for council house tenants sets out the council's commitment to meeting the needs of tenants, should emergency situations in the condition of housing stock cause tenants to be moved.

The Decant Policy is currently under review.

Does the council have a housing strategy for older people?

The Older People's Housing Strategy is currently under review.

The strategy will set out the council's approach to addressing the housing needs of older residents in the East Riding, across all tenures:

  1. Provide appropriate and accessible housing advice
  2. Improve and maximise the use of existing housing and promote independent living
  3. Facilitate the provision of new housing in response to an identified need, including schemes for aspirational living.

Does the council have a housing strategy for vulnerable people?

This strategy is being reviewed.

The resulting work will ensure our strategies meet the housing needs of vulnerable people.

How is the council supporting housing in rural communities?

The Council recognises that there is a severe shortage of affordable housing in many rural communities where land is in short supply and affordable housing has to compete with market housing for suitable sites.

To help with the delivery of affordable housing for rent or sale, the Council employs a Rural Housing Enabler who can work with parish councils and other community groups to identify unmet needs and bring forward suitable sites for development.

The work of the Rural Housing Enabler can include organising village housing needs surveys; identifying development opportunities with housing associations and working with other local authority departments (especially Planning) to facilitate the delivery of successful rural housing schemes.

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