South West Housing Initiative

SOUTH WEST HOUSING CAMPAIGNERS APPLAUD PROGRESS ON AFFORDABLE HOMES

10,000 people successfully housed, with plans for 15,000 this year

News that 10,000 affordable homes were provided in the South West during the past year has been welcomed by the region‘s unique partnership of home-builders, housing associations, housing professions, and employers.

The South West Housing Initiative has applauded the latest figures from Colin Molton, the Regional Director of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), revealing that more than £235 million has been invested in affordable home building, alongside a further £22 million spent on infrastructure to “unlock” stalled housing sites.

Richard Kitson, Chairman of the South West Housing Initiative, said: “This region has one of the country‘s biggest housing crises, with among the widest affordability gap between average earnings and average house prices. The latest figures from the HCA are great news for the region and its economy.

“We have been delighted in the way the recently formed HCA is working in partnership with us and many others to drive forward with practical solutions to the region‘s lack of affordable housing. That shortage makes it difficult for local people to find a home, threatening the viability of local communities and the ability of local employers to remain competitive on wage costs”, said Mr Kitson.

“At a time when this region needs up to 30,000 new homes per year, the downturn in the property and construction sectors has decimated the number of homes being built.

“So the success of the HCA in using public investment to enable 10,000 people to find affordable homes is hugely important – especially as they predict that this figure could be exceeded by 50% in the current year”, Mr Kitson added.

END 1st May 2009

For further information please contact David Sturgess, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email david@sturgessvandamme.co.uk