Host of activities taking place across the city to mark Exeter Housing Week
Published: 6 August 2024
The Council has been highlighting some of the many housing services it provides for residents in Exeter during Housing Week.
On Monday councillors, officers and members of the Exeter’s Council Housing and Development Advisory Board took part in a tour of new build properties, including Hamlin Gardens and Whipton Gardens.
The tour also saw how retrofitting is benefiting existing Council homes by making them more energy efficient, which lowers bills for tenants and cuts the city’s carbon footprint.
A visit was also made to Edwards Court Extra Care facility, where residents shared their experiences of living in the UK’s first super energy efficient Passivhaus extra care accommodation.
Cllr Marina Asvachin, Lead Councillor for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services, said: “It was great to visit some of the new build homes being provided by the City Council, which is top quality accommodation built to Passivhaus standard. It was also good to see how our retrofit programme is making a real difference to the lives of Council tenants.
“The extra care facility at Edwards Court is a fantastic building which provides a great environment of care, and as the UK’s first Passivhaus care facility it is something that Exeter can be very proud of.”
She added: “There’s lots happening in Exeter during Housing Week and we look forward to meeting as many people as possible at the various events taking place across the city.”
Housing Week activities have been organised by the Council’s housing teams for its tenants, leaseholders, people living in temporary accommodation, housing professionals and Exeter residents who are in need of housing advice.
Chief Executive Bindu Arjoon said: “Our housing officers work extremely hard to ensure that they run the best possible services on behalf of the residents of Exeter and Housing Week is an opportunity to showcase some of this work.
“Organising community events in the city also provides residents with easy access to a wide range of advice about housing issues and allows officers to receive valuable feedback and suggestions from both Council tenants and other residents in the city.
“Along with advice and information there’s also a range of fun activities planned, and I hope people can find the time to take part and speak to members of our housing team is they are able to do so.”
A Community Safety Day will be held on Wednesday 7 August, between 11am and 2pm, in Summerway Play Park, Willow Way.
Free ice-cream and face painting will be available. Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, housing staff and contractors will all be there too. Housing teams will be sharing important health and safety information with residents, as well as enjoying some fun activities for young people.
On Thursday 8 August, Housing Week will be moving to Wonford playing grounds by the Wonford Community Centre.
There will be family-friendly activities for residents of all ages and free ice-cream, a face painter, fun physical activities and creative projects for young people. All Exeter residents are invited to take part.
On Friday 9 August there will be pop-up housing surgeries across the city. Housing advice officers will take over parts of the Exeter Library, providing housing advice to those who are homeless or faced with homelessness.
At the same time, housing officers will be providing support to tenants and leaseholders at the Beacon Centre and at the Wonford Community Centre, with free tea and coffee being provided. People are invited to come along and have a chat.