Swanley Town Council own various housing stock across all wards in the town of Swanley. These properties are normally fully occupied but on occasion the private tenancy may become available and can be found listed here – Swanley Housing Search
Wrott & Hill are a registered provider of Social Housing with currently 12 properties in their portfolio. Swanley Town Council are constitutionally bound to represent the charity and alongside the other trustees and appointed Clerk manage the housing stock.
How the charity manages it’s property is determined by the funcation it was created for which states: To provide accommodation for the poor and needy of the ancient parish of Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley (Which includes modern day Swanley).
Vacancy for almshouse property at Wrott & Hill Court, Main Road, Sutton at Hone
Applications are invited for a one bed self-contained almshouse available for a person of limited means, either born in or currently resident in Swanley or Sutton at Hone. Applicants must be able to live independently. The property offers comfortable accommodation in a quiet community setting. A weekly maintenance contribution is payable, further details will be provided. Applicants must meet the charity’s eligibility criteria.
For further information and an application form, please contact: jeni@witlet.co.uk / 01376 502 500
Swanley Housing Needs
Affordable homes available for local people!
People with a strong local connection to Swanley where availability allows can be given priority for new build affordable homes in Swanley. To be considered for the homes for rent you must be on the Sevenoaks District Housing Register. More information OR contact us at towncouncil@swanleytowncouncil.gov.uk for a referral. Please contact West Kent if you are interested in the shared ownership homes.
For homelessness and finding a home – Apply to join the housing register
Kent’s Rural and Community Housing Enabling service (RACE) undertook a local Housing Needs Survey in the Swanley Town Council area which covers the electoral Wards of Swanley Christchurch and Swanley Village, Swanley St Mary’s and Swanley White Oak.
The survey was undertaken as part of Sevenoaks District Council’s 5 year district wide programme of local housing needs surveys being carried out by RACE.
Housing Needs Surveys investigate the affordable housing needs of people who live in or have close ties to a parish, town or rural area and provide an independent report of that need, using a transparent and robust methodology.
In addition they investigate the needs of older households of any tenure needing to downsize or move to more suitable housing for their needs.
The Swanley Housing Needs Surveys is valid for 5 years, to October 2028.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The 2021 ‘Parish Councillors’ Guide to Rural Affordable Housing’ states that ‘Across the country there is a lack of affordable housing to rent or buy in many villages, in some there is none at all.
This causes hardship for people across the generations, young people just starting out on an independent life, families trying to provide for their children and older people who have lived in the village for most of their lives but whose growing frailty means they can no longer manage in their
current home.’
Due to high property prices within the Sevenoaks District, the same challenges arise in more urban settlements and towns.
The Kent Rural Housing Protocol ‘A Guide to Developing Affordable Homes in Rural Communities’ states that ‘Within the County of Kent, most land (85%) is classed as “rural” and over 40% of businesses in Kent are based in rural areas.
KHG recognise that provision of affordable housing is vital to ensure that communities continue to thrive and prosper.’
Small developments of local needs housing can provide affordable homes for local people, thereby enabling them to stay in their community, benefit from family and friends’ networks and contribute to local life.
This can make a real difference to the sustainability of communities and the vitality of local services and amenities.
The housing needs of older people has been a subject of concern given the growing numbers in that age group whose needs are not being met by the market.
A nine month enquiry starting in 2017 on Housing and Care for Older People concluded in their report1 that ‘policy makers must recognise the growing housing needs of older people living in the countryside.
It recommends that Local Planning Authorities ensure provision of new homes for older people, noting the value of both the building of small village developments “perhaps six bungalows on an unused scrap of land” or larger scale retirement schemes in towns close by.’
RACE is an independent service for Kent, delivered through the Kent Housing Group and is supported by Local Authorities across Kent and Medway, including Sevenoaks District Council.
RACE’s Rural Housing Enablers (RHE) will undertake a housing needs survey, analyse the results and where appropriate, help identify potential suitable sites for the development of new local needs housing, ie Rural Exceptions Sites, or to secure a proportion of the affordable housing to be provided on larger sites to meet the needs of local people, ie Local Lettings Plans.
If new local needs housing is to be developed on a Rural Exceptions Site, a partnership will be established between the Parish and or Town Council, the preferred housing provider, eg Housing Association, and the Local Authority.
Proposals for new local needs housing will be developed and the community consulted.
The independent role of the RHE helps to ensure any eventual local needs housing scheme proceeds smoothly and for the benefit of the community.
