Westmorland and Furness Council has approved a new Housing Asset Management Strategy (AMS) for 2025-2030, setting out a clear plan for managing and investing in its council housing stock.
The strategy, agreed at a meeting of Cabinet this week (18 March), will ensure homes remain safe, well-maintained, energy-efficient, and fit for the future, helping residents to thrive in high-quality living environments.
The AMS provides a strategic framework for informed investment decisions, ensuring that housing across the area meets the Decent Homes Standard. It will be supported by detailed Asset Management Plans (AMPs) for the council’s housing estates, considering local housing needs, stock conditions, and sustainability factors.
The strategy is informed by a 2023 stock condition survey by Rand Associates, assessing long-term maintenance needs and guiding future investment. It has also been shaped through input from council colleagues, locality board discussions, and consultation with the Tenants Forum. Feedback from the council’s annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey has also influenced priorities, ensuring resident needs are at the heart of investment decisions.
The strategy builds on a range of other key council strategies agreed in recent months, including the Housing Strategy, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and Empty Homes Strategy. Together, these policies provide a cohesive approach to housing, sustainability, and community wellbeing across Westmorland and Furness.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said:
“Our priority is to provide safe, good-quality homes where residents want to live. This strategy ensures we continue to invest in our housing stock in a sustainable way, meeting high standards for safety, energy efficiency, and maintenance. By taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach, we can make the best use of resources and deliver real benefits for our communities.
“The strategy links to our wider objectives, recognising that good-quality housing supports health and wellbeing, strengthens communities, drives decarbonisation, and contributes to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and fostering social inclusion.”
The Housing Asset Management Strategy will be regularly reviewed to remain flexible and responsive to regulatory changes and evolving housing needs.
