Housing provision in the district has been rated “fair” by an independent report.

The Audit Commission, an independent watchdog for public services, commended the district council’s strategic housing service for its strong vision of Dover and its future housing but it described the service’s prospects for improvement as “uncertain.”

On a scale of zero to three stars, the Audit Commission inspection team gave the service a “fair” one star rating.

Easy customer access to housing support, an increased focus to prevent homelessness and good progress on planning and delivering affordable housing are strengths recognised by the report.

It also acknowledged the council has developed effective partnerships to help make its vision to make Dover a world class town come to fruition.

“Some progress is already evident due to an increased focus on preventing homelessness and investment in its poorer quality housing,” said the commission’s south east lead inspector Sara Kulay, who identified developments at Buckland Mill, Dover, and a housing scheme at Aylesham as providing new opportunities for residents in the district.

But she added: “Work is still needed to strengthen the overall approach to private sector housing, value for money and to reduce the numbers living in temporary accommodation.”

Agreeing a timetable for future research and revision to housing strategies and developing robust supporting strategies to meet the needs of the district’s varied population were among the suggestions made to the council for improvement.

One of the weaknesses the report detailed was the fact that customers do not know what standards they are entitled to expect from each service the strategic housing service provides.

The relatively low number of affordable homes the council has provided in the past four years is another weakness.