Latest news

Public consultation opens on the proposed vision and priorities for Maldon District Council's new Housing Strategy, which will include Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping.

Maldon District Council is today launching a four-week public consultation on the proposed vision and strategic priorities for its Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and is asking residents, tenants, landlords, partners and community groups to help shape the strategy.

The new strategy will guide how the Council and its partners tackle housing challenges across the district over the next five years. It will replace the current 2018–2025 strategy and comes at a time when high housing costs, limited availability of suitable and affordable homes and demand for homelessness services are placing pressure on residents, the Council and other public services.

The Council is proposing three overarching priorities: prevention and early intervention; building and making best use of the right homes; and creating a joined-up housing system.

The proposed priorities cover a range of issues that will inform the development of the strategy, including:

• reducing reliance on temporary accommodation and improving outcomes for households living in it
• preventing and reducing rough sleeping across the district
• addressing gaps in supported housing
• improving standards and access within the private rented housing sector
• supporting and managing the district's caravan sites appropriately
• strengthening collaboration with housing associations, developers, neighbouring councils and other partners.

The Council does not own any housing stock, so delivering these priorities depends on working closely with housing associations, developers, private landlords and community organisations. The strategy will also help ensure the Council's housing service is well placed to respond to whatever changes lie ahead in how local government is organised in Essex.

Councillor Simon Morgan, Leader of Maldon District Council, said "Everyone in our district deserves a decent, secure place to call home, but we know the pressures on housing are growing. This strategy will set out how we intend to respond, working alongside our partner housing associations, developers and community partners. A strategy is only as good as the experience behind it, so I'd urge residents, tenants, parish and town councils and local organisations to read the draft vision and priorities and tell us what's working, what isn't, and what needs to change."

How to take part

The consultation runs from Monday 28 September until Sunday 25 October 2026. The proposed vision and strategic priorities, evidence summary and questionnaire are available at www.maldon.gov.uk/housingconsultation

Paper copies are available on request from 01621 854477.

Town and parish councils across the district are also being asked to share details with their communities, so that residents in rural areas can take part.

Feedback will be used to inform the final strategy, and the Council will publish a summary of what it heard.