The challenges of tackling homelessness and meeting government housing targets in Rother were among issues discussed recently at a housing event in Robertsbridge.
Over 60 delegates, representing councils, developers, consultants, and housing providers met at the Village Hall to debate the key issues and agree collaborative working arrangements.
Hosted by Rother District Council, those attending were welcomed by Cllr Ruairi McCourt, lead member for housing, and Lorna Ford, council chief executive. Other speakers included Joe Powell, head of housing and strategic assets, and Mike Hughes, head of planning.
Panel presentations were led by Homes England and Robertsbridge Parish Council, before a Q&A session facilitated by Brian Horton, strategic housing advisor from the SE Local Enterprise Partnership.
Cllr Ruairi McCourt said: “It was great to see representatives from different organisations discussing the huge challenges we all face in key areas, including homelessness.
“We were able update on progress we’ve made such as publishing our Housing Development Strategy and preparing to consult on our new draft Local Plan early next year. We were also able to highlight the work we’ve carried out as part of our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
“This included the setting up of a Homelessness prevention hub in Bexhill, reducing homelessness by early intervention with partners in other local authorities, health and social care and the Department of Work and Pensions, and increasing the disabled facilities fund to help home adaptations.
“There is also good news nationally – including £39 billion pumped into housebuilding, £11.5 billion for affordable housing, and from May next year, renters’ rights to end S21 ‘no fault’ evictions – and an end to fixed term contracts and reductions in rent deposits paid in advance.”
Cllr McCourt highlighted how the challenge of tackling homelessness had grown in recent years. He said: “Local homelessness has increased from 216 in 2018 to 571 in 2024, and then there were around 30 households in temporary accommodation, now there are over 200. And we have 1300 people on our housing register.
“But we have acquired over 70 of our own units of temporary accommodation, we are building 130 affordable and social homes in Blackfriars in Battle though our Housing Company, and Rother is one of only 10 local authorities nationally that will benefit from government support to start re-building council homes.”
Delegates also discussed the huge task of meeting government housing targets. Rother’s new target is to build 912 homes each year for 10 years. However, prior to 2023 around 200 were delivered each year against a target of 335.
Cllr McCourt believes the focus must be on making new housing targets a reality to address the chronic shortage of houses and affordable homes. “We must make it happen. And we will,” said Cllr McCourt. “I’m looking forward to the new reality of building many more homes, locally and indeed due to local government reform – across Sussex generally.”
Ends
Published: 5th December 2025
