- Of those agreeing with Objective 1, providing affordable and suitable housing to those who need it is by far the most frequently mentioned reason (37%)
- Amongst those disagreeing with Objective 1 there are views on both sides of the argument. Around a quarter express the view that it is nothing to do with the Council what someone does with their own property and that it is the owner’s choice, whereas around a fifth do not feel that the Council should be financially supporting owners or landlords and that things should be left for the private market to determine
Objective 1: Reasons for agreement or disagreement
Summary
Why do you agree with objective 1?
Base: All those who agree or strongly agree with objective 1 (504)
| wdt_ID | Key themes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right thing to do to provide affordable and suitable housing for people who need it | 37 |
| 3 | Encourage/support owners to do something with their empty properties | 12 |
| 4 | Reduces the need for new builds/maximise useable stock | 10 |
| 11 | To avoid houses being left empty or in disrepair which is bad for other residents and the community | 7 |
| 12 | Common sense/good idea/will work | 6 |
| 13 | Counter people buying properties to leave empty or to actively neglect in order to rebuild | 4 |
| 14 | Get the homeless off the street/reduce the need to use expensive hotels | 2 |
| 15 | Don't provide financial support to owners/compulsory purchase/recoup costs/shared ownership with council | 2 |
| 16 | No HMOs/student housing | 2 |
| 17 | Other e.g. maximise council tax revenue | 1 |
| 18 | Na/no comment | 32 |
Why do you disagree with objective 1?
Base: All those who disagree or strongly disagree with objective 1 (58)
| wdt_ID | Key themes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Property owner's choice/ not the Council's business | 28 |
| 3 | Council should not be financially supporting owners/landlords. Property developers should be investing | 19 |
| 12 | Better empty than a bad neighbour e.g. HMOs, students, immigrants | 10 |
| 13 | People have many different reasons for leaving a property empty | 7 |
| 14 | Need more social housing not private rental | 3 |
| 15 | More penalties on properties left empty long-term | 3 |
| 16 | Other e.g. focus on council stock, strategy won't work, support offered won't work | 16 |
| 17 | Na/no comment | 17 |
