About Us
Our Wards
Healthy Homes is a Westmorland and Furness Council pilot project, funded by the Government. It will look at how housing standards within the private rented sector could be improved, and how any current barriers can be overcome.
The target areas for the project are these six legacy Eden wards and their parishes:
- The Crosby Ravensworth ward including Ashby, Bolton, Crosby Ravensworth and Kings Meaburn parishes
- The Hartside ward including Culgaith, Melmerby and Ousby parishes
- The Skelton ward including Castle Sowerby and Skelton parishes
- The Orton with Tebay ward
- The Ravenstonedale ward including Crosby Garrett, Waitby, Ravenstonedale and Soulby parishes
- The Ullswater ward including Hutton, Patterdale and Matterdale parishes
We will work with landlords, tenants, and property managers to ensure homes are safe, and how the right knowledge can prevent properties from falling into disrepair. Outside of these wards, help and advice is available. We will also signpost you towards any other council services you might need.
Healthy Homes Project Aims
The Healthy Homes pilot will help to improve privately rented homes, so everyone has a safe and healthy home. It will find common problems, working with people to improve rented homes.
Educating them on their rights and responsibilities, giving advice, and finding ways to repair properties before disrepair gets bad enough that it requires enforcement.
The research gained will help shape future policy-making within the sector, identifying barriers to housing improvement, and may expand across Westmorland and Furness.
Creating Community Links
Future proofing the rented sector is no small task. It takes a community to do it.
Healthy Homes will improve working relationships between landlords, tenants, property managers, and the council.
We’ll hold:
- Engagement events
- Forums
- Informal advice
This will also mean everyone’s aware of their responsibilities and rights. By improving people’s knowledge, the project aims to remap how things can improve without intervention.
Ensuring there are enough healthy and safe rented homes available takes support. The project will help all involved to make sure that happens, by:
- Helping people to recognise when a problem is their responsibility
- Encouraging those responsible to take action where needed
- Improving awareness of Government grants and charities
- Detailing how the council can help when there is a problem
Finding Solutions
The project will research the local area to help remove obstacles when it comes to repairing rented homes, preventing as many properties as possible from falling into disrepair.
The project will create a clear picture of the sector, including:
- Barriers holding properties back from improvement
- How many rented homes need essential work
- How informal advice can fix issues before formal action becomes necessary
The aim of the project is to innovate the way housing standards are followed. Supporting everyone who needs it. Ultimately, ensuring that rented homes are safe.
Enforcement will be a last resort, when attempts to reach out are not successful, or the property is dangerous and needs immediate attention to protect the occupants.