Housing Strategy 2025–2028

The draft Wealden Housing Strategy 2025-28 has been developed to address the housing priorities within Wealden and outlines our comprehensive approach to addressing housing needs within the district. Our strategy sets out Wealden’s contribution towards the draft East Sussex Housing Partnership Strategy which is the result of extensive evidence-based research and engagement to ensure a cohesive approach to housing delivery, safety, and quality.

The strategy aims to provide a clear set of priorities to ensure that all residents have access to safe, decent, and affordable homes. It also emphasises the importance of and collaboration with various partners to achieve its goals in the context of Local Government Reorganisation.

Our vision

To work in partnership to ensure sustainable, suitable, safe and affordable homes for all.

Our Priorities

We’re focused on five key priorities:

• Increasing the supply of affordable housing
• Ensuring the safety and quality of Council homes
• Preventing homelessness and rough sleeping
• Tackling climate change through housing
• Supporting the health and wellbeing of residents

Our approach is guided by strong partnerships, data-driven decisions, and ongoing engagement with residents to ensure value for money and support workforce development. As local government changes through devolution, we are committed to working closely with partners across East Sussex. Together, we’re working to ensure sustainable, suitable, safe, and affordable homes for all.

By collaborating with developers, landlords, health and community services, and residents, we will target resources effectively and respond to feedback to achieve tangible results. Our priority is on outcomes, more homes, improved living conditions, reduced homelessness, and better quality of life for all.

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper, setting out its approach to devolution and local government reorganisation. This strategy aims to align as far as possible, with the East Sussex Housing Partnership Strategy to provide consistency during the devolution and re-organisation process, recognising the strength of our existing partnership work in East Sussex (regardless of any decisions on the future shape and size of Council(s) in the area), and continuing to strengthen cross sector collaboration. Currently much uncertainty remains about what Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation will mean for local authorities, or the communities we serve. The following link offers an opportunity to stay informed as devolution and local government reorganisation progress East Sussex Councils.

This consultation is now closed. All responses will be carefully reviewed and considered as part of the decision-making process.