There were a number of actions to improve housing taken at this weeks housing scrutiny committee (14-1-15)

Cllr Kevin Price, the city council’s executive councillor for housing, said; “Our new plans reverse the decade of neglect and chronic underinvestment by the Liberal Democrats that has led to the city’s housing affordability crisis in both the social and private sector.”

The Labour led City Council are proposing to  to appoint a new empty homes officer and set aside £200,000 to loan to landlords to bring homes back some of the 240 homes in Cambridge that are not occupied.

The city council is also due to raise the profile of its landlord accreditation scheme to maintain and improve the safety of rented accommodation.  This will involve an improvement in the guidance and support given to landlords and a toughening of enforcement against those flouting the laws.  The council will also intervene when landlords are seen as unfit to manage their properties by taking out orders to manage the properties themselves.

The latest budget plans will also suggest that city’s tenants’ rents increase by an average of £2.18 per week.

Plans were also confirmed to build new council homes on a site near Homerton College.

Cllr Dave Baigent was confirmed as Deputy Chair of Housing