As over 12,000 delegates gather in Leeds this week for UKREiiF – the biggest property conference in the country – new research shows that younger people in Leeds are keen to stay in the ‘vibrant and friendly’ city but are worried about being priced out of the area because of
Leading deposit alternative provider flatfair has announced a major new partnership with Dandara Living, one of the UK’s leading independent property development firms and a renowned name in the Build to Rent sector. Dandara joins an impressive list of well-known players in the industry who are already using flatfair’s deposit
TODAY Greater Manchester is taking its first step towards offering a property check to renters across the city region, empowering those who feel trapped in substandard housing. This morning, in Moss Side, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a £600,000 package of measures to support tenants and clamp
Affordable housing provider SO Resi has recently launched its newest Shared Ownership scheme in the capital, with 37 homes at its SO Resi Canning Town development in Newham. Eager buyers are invited to find out more at two launch events at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am – 4pm
Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community this week at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the
Birmingham City Council has revealed a masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of
Half of tenants vacating a property last year had to do so because their landlord wanted to sell their property, according to a new survey. In the latest Rental Confidence Index report, published by PayProp – an automated rental payment and client accounting platform, ‘Landlords selling the property’ was cited
Clowes Developments have appointed Derbyshire based estate agent Boxall Brown & Jones to market Riber View Apartments in Matlock. Since constructing the 47 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 450 to 765 square feet, Clowes have successfully sold or let a number of apartments. The group have
Persimmon Homes Wessex has submitted plans for the third phase of the Jubilee Gardens development that would trigger construction on the next 193 high-quality homes if approved by Wiltshire Council. The phase would involve a mixture of properties from the five-star developer and its sister company, Charles Church, and approval
NEWLY re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for his third term. Today he unveils measures to increase the amount of social housing in the city-region, improve the standard of rented accommodation and end the housing crisis in Greater Manchester by
As over 12,000 delegates gather in Leeds this week for UKREiiF – the biggest property conference in the country – new research shows that younger people in Leeds are keen to stay in the ‘vibrant and friendly’ city but are worried about being priced out of the area because of the lack of affordable homes to rent or buy. The research – ‘Get cracking and build’ – carried out by digital communications experts, Shared Voice, and Just Build Homes, of over 350 18-44 years olds living in Leeds shows: The price many were willing to pay for a realistic chance of owning their own home within five years was high with four out of ten people saying they would forgo having children. Two-thirds said they were willing to give up foreign holidays and social activities to be in their own home. There was a lot of enthusiasm for life in Leeds among this age group who praised good public transport links to shops, parks, and other amenities as well as diverse cultural and nightlight experiences, a vibrant sense of community, friendly people, and excellent job opportunities. Wyn Evans, a Founding Director of Shared Voice, said: “This level of support for housebuilding is extraordinary and demonstrates that there are millions of people out there who are supportive of housebuilding. “This younger generation do not normally engage with the planning process and developers need to be asking why traditional planning communications are failing to reach this large audience. “It also demonstrates why Keir Starmer and the Labour Party have come out so strongly in support of new homes – there are votes in it, lots of votes.” Millie Dodd, Spokesperson for Just Build Homes, added: “Our findings in Leeds reflect the conversations Just Build Homes is having with people affected by the housing crisis all over the country. The cost of housing is continuing to rise and is becoming out of reach for many because there are simply not enough homes being built. We just need to ‘Get cracking and build’.” Shared Voice and Just Build Homes will be teaming up with planning experts Quod, to launch the survey findings at the UKREiiF conference, on Tuesday 21 May at 3pm. Emma Lancaster, a director at Quod’s Leeds office, said: “This report comes at a critical time. The Council is in the early stages of its work on Leeds Local Plan 2040, grappling with the question of how it should meet its housing needs over the next Plan Period. “Significant progress in housing land supply and delivery has been made in Leeds in recent years, but this report confirms that not all parts of the city are benefiting, and that a real step change is required if the Council is going to meet its identified needs for affordable housing and achieve its Best City ambition.” Shared Voice was launched in April 2024 to create a brand-new offer for the planning communications market, aimed at helping connecting developers with the silent, pro-housing majority for the first time. Shared Voice provide a single communications solution from pre-application to Committee. The offer is unique because it focuses on finding genuine supporters and making that the focal point of communications at every stage – rather than spending time and money trying to persuade objectors. It is challenging the traditional model of exhibitions and behind the scenes lobbying, in favour of leveraging the power of the silent supportive majority. Shared Voice is the team behind Just Build Homes, a YIMBY brand that has consistently and successfully mobilised thousands of people across the UK to support planning applications for new housing in their own area. A full copy of the report can be obtained here: “Get cracking and build” – Housing attitudes of 18-44 year olds living in Leeds – Shared Voice Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading deposit alternative provider flatfair has announced a major new partnership with Dandara Living, one of the UK’s leading independent property development firms and a renowned name in the Build to Rent sector. Dandara joins an impressive list of well-known players in the industry who are already using flatfair’s deposit platform, including Greystar, Native Residential and urbanbubble. With flatfair Deposits, residents have the option of flatfair’s popular deposit alternative alongside a traditional deposit. At a time when rental costs and therefore deposits, are reaching new highs month-on-month, thousands more residents now have the option to significantly reduce their upfront move-in costs. flatfair Deposits also saves agents and operators valuable time and improves their compliance by not having to manually register traditional deposits themselves. Gary Wright, CEO of flatfair, emphasises the company’s growing dominance in the Build to Rent sector as evidence that agents and operators are increasingly embracing flatfair’s deposit alternative, saying “We are delighted to be partnering with such a renowned name in the industry, and the growing popularity of flatfair Deposits, not just in the Build to Rent industry, is a mark of how beneficial and important our product is to all parties. Although deposit alternatives are still relatively new to the industry, agents and Build to Rent operators are increasingly recognising the multitude of benefits that our deposit platform offers. Providing a choice of deposit options to customers is now a necessity, reflecting the evolving needs of the market.” Sam Smith, Operations Director at Dandara Living said “We have been looking at the deposit alternative product offering for some time, and we have watched this product mature over the last few years and become a proven alternative that today’s renter wants to see. We are delighted to be partnering with flatfair on this new offering, and this further enhances our focus on the resident experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TODAY Greater Manchester is taking its first step towards offering a property check to renters across the city region, empowering those who feel trapped in substandard housing. This morning, in Moss Side, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a £600,000 package of measures to support tenants and clamp down on rogue landlords, as part of a plan to rewire the rental system so it works for people, not against them. The Good Landlord Charter, set to be rolled out later this year, will work with landlords who are willing to improve the standard of the properties they rent out. The first in the UK, the Charter scheme will cover social and private rented sector housing and set out clear, practical, and accessible standards to drive up the quality of renting in Greater Manchester. For tenants whose landlords are not willing to work with us voluntarily, we will be launching a Property Check scheme – another UK first. This will help those who feel trapped by their housing situation by giving them the right to request a property check, carried out by local teams and followed up with enforcement action where necessary. Data shows that, throughout Greater Manchester, around 23 per cent (56,000) of private rented homes and just under 17 per cent (82,000) of all rented homes do not meet the legal Decent Homes Standard. But since many tenants feel unable to raise complaints for fear of eviction, it’s thought the true number of substandard rentals may be as high as 40 per cent. Our recent survey of private tenants in Greater Manchester found that in the past year: Greater Manchester is investing £150,000 in a pilot with Salford City Council and central government to explore how these checks can be used effectively and proactively and help identify properties that fall short of the Decent Homes Standard – a legal requirement when the Renters (Reform) Bill comes into law later this year. The Mayor will be asking the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to support the delivery of Property Checks. Our fire crews already visit around 30,000 homes a year, providing fire safety checks and work is under way to explore how they could deploy Property Checks as part of their work with our communities. To drive forward Greater Manchester’s plans to tackle the housing crisis, the Mayor has announced two more new pilot projects that will come into effect in the next 12 months, supporting the implementation of the Good Landlord Charter and the vision to become the UK’s first Housing First city-region: Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Today we drive forward the next phase of Greater Manchester’s mission to tackle the housing crisis and get serious about housing standards. “Everyone across our city-region deserves a good, safe, and secure home. It should be the starting point for a good life. It should not damage your health or be a source of concern and anxiety. “Sadly, too many people in Greater Manchester still find themselves in those situations, trapped in poorly maintained properties and in fear of unlawful eviction. But the days of bad landlords renting out unsafe and unfit homes are coming to an end. This new right to a property check for all residents, backed up with new measures to protect renters and take action against rogue landlords, will empower people across Greater Manchester and put us on course to become the UK’s only Housing First city-region.” The three pilot programmes, currently in development, support Greater Manchester’s plan to make sure every resident in our city-region can live in a good, safe home. Galvanising this plan will be the creation of a multi-agency Greater Manchester Housing First unit within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will develop a strategy to drive up standards and bolster enforcement capacity across the board. The Mayor announced the package of measures today (Thursday 16 May) on a visit to a housing estate in Moss Side, Manchester. He was joined by Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Housing and Development. Manchester City Council is currently consulting on proposals for new selective licensing schemes, which require private landlords or their managing agents to obtain a license before renting out a property. Their proposals would see the total number of private rented sector properties in the borough covered by selective licensing schemes rise from 2,000 to just under 4,000. For further information please contact the Communications and Engagement team on: news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk. Find us on social media @greatermcr. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housing provider SO Resi has recently launched its newest Shared Ownership scheme in the capital, with 37 homes at its SO Resi Canning Town development in Newham. Eager buyers are invited to find out more at two launch events at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am – 4pm on 18th & 25th May, strictly by appointment only. The apartments at SO Resi Canning Town have all been stylishly designed with comfort in mind, offering low maintenance modern living. All homes come with Koncept kitchens and integrated Zanussi appliances, whilst the wider development offers landscaped communal areas and gardens. Offering an accessible pathway onto the property ladder, SO Resi Canning Town presents an opportunity for individuals and families to own a stake in vibrant London living. The development will introduce 37 Shared Ownership homes, with a range of one to three-bedroom apartments and is set to hit the property market off-plan this May, with a show home following shortly in June with prices from £96,875 for a 25% share (full market value £387,500). Shared Ownership offers lower deposit requirements and the flexibility to gradually increase ownership over time. Prospective buyers can secure a share of their desired property, ranging from 25% to 75% of its market value at SO Resi Canning Town, while benefitting from below-market rent on the remaining portion. As such, the launch of SO Resi’s new development marks a significant step towards addressing the need for affordable options in London, particularly in sought-after locations like Canning Town. Kevin Sims, Director of Sales at SO Resi, commented: “With Newham Council’s £3.7 billion regeneration project for Canning Town, the area is quickly becoming a sought-after area of London. The unpredictability of the housing market coupled with high pricing has been putting aspiring homeowners at a major disadvantage compared to previous generations of home buyers. At SO Resi, we aim to level the playing field by offering more opportunities for Shared Ownership solutions. “Our properties at our Canning Town development are the perfect example of this aim. Proposed plans from Newham Council means the new town centre is set to be home to a new community hub, cinema, shops, office spaces, as well as brand new Shared Ownership homes, underscoring the increased popularity of Shared Ownership as an option for prospective homeowners[1]. By choosing from our 37 Shared Ownership properties available at our SO Resi Canning Town development, prospective homeowners are set to gain a foothold in London’s property market alongside becoming a part of a vibrant and emerging community.[2]” Canning Town is an up-and-coming area of London with excellent transport links. Canning Town Station serves both the DLR and Jubilee Line. On the DLR, residents can access Tower Gateway to the east in 15 minutes and Gallions Reach to the east within 12 minutes. On the Jubilee Line, residents can commute to Canary Wharf within five minutes and London Bridge within 10 minutes. Canning Town is also in striking distance of London City Airport for locations further afield. Plus, regular bus services connect Canning Town to destinations like Trafalgar Square, Bethnal Green, Newham Hospital, Aldgate, Walthamstow Central and Romford Market. Canning Town also boasts a diverse range of restaurants, cafes and grocery options, excellent for adventurous foodies looking to find a new home. SO Resi Canning Town is expected to launch off-plan in May, with properties ready for occupancy by the end of 2024. Prospective buyers are invited to the launch events on May 18th & 25th from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am-4pm strictly by appointment only. To register your interest for this event, please visit: https://soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/so-resi-canning-town [1] https://www.newham.gov.uk/regeneration-1/canning-town-custom-house [2] https://www.newham.gov.uk/regeneration-1/canning-town-custom-house Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community this week at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of the people who live and work in Druids Heath. Staff were at the launch event to answer questions and receive the feedback from the community about the plans, with more events planned over the next few days. An extensive consultation on the plans will begin in the coming months before approval for the plans will be sought next year. The proposed regeneration aims to make Druids Heath a more sustainable and greener place to live in the long term. New high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be built alongside excellent green spaces. The commercial and community spaces in Druids Heath will also be revitalised as part of the plan. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “The masterplan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regeneration of Druids Heath. “This new plan shows how Druids Heath will be transformed into a healthier, more sustainable area by building on its key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space. “This regeneration scheme will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions. It will also bring much-needed provisions for older residents so they can live healthy, independent lives for longer. New greenways will be built to better connect the estate within the community and the estate to the surrounding city. “The scheme goes beyond delivering new homes; the regeneration will create a sustainable, healthy community that will allow anyone who lives there to thrive. “While the masterplan is a big step forward for the scheme, much more work remains, and there will be more decisions to be made with the local community about the scheme. With that in mind, an independent steering group representing residents, stakeholders, and businesses is being established to help influence future decisions regarding the regeneration. “We also understand residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area. For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate. We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so. “Regenerating an area is always a lengthy process. For this reason, the council will bolster services for tenants on the estate by installing more CCTV, implementing a specific repairs service for Druids Heath, and increasing cleaning provision to tackle fly-tipping.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council has revealed a masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of the people who live and work in Druids Heath. Staff were at the launch event to answer questions and receive feedback from the community about the plans, with more events planned over the next few days. An extensive consultation on the plans will begin in the coming months before approval for the plans will be sought next year. The proposed regeneration aims to make Druids Heath a more sustainable and greener place to live in the long term. New high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be built alongside excellent green spaces. The commercial and community spaces in Druids Heath will also be revitalised as part of the plan. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “The masterplan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regeneration of Druids Heath. This new plan shows how Druids Heath will be transformed into a healthier, more sustainable area by building on its key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space. “This regeneration scheme will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions. It will also bring much-needed provisions for older residents so they can live healthy, independent lives for longer. New greenways will be built to better connect the estate within the community and the estate to the surrounding city. “The scheme goes beyond delivering new homes; the regeneration will create a sustainable, healthy community that will allow anyone who lives there to thrive. “While the masterplan is a big step forward for the scheme, much more work remains, and there will be more decisions to be made with the local community about the scheme. With that in mind, an independent steering group representing residents, stakeholders, and businesses is being established to help influence future decisions regarding the regeneration. “We also understand residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area. For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate. We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so. “Regenerating an area is always a lengthy process. For this reason, the council will bolster services for tenants on the estate by installing more CCTV, implementing a specific repairs service for Druids Heath, and increasing cleaning provision to tackle fly-tipping.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Half of tenants vacating a property last year had to do so because their landlord wanted to sell their property, according to a new survey. In the latest Rental Confidence Index report, published by PayProp – an automated rental payment and client accounting platform, ‘Landlords selling the property’ was cited by 50% of property professionals surveyed as the primary reason for tenants moving. By contrast, eviction was cited by just 11.3% of those surveyed. Tenant rights organisation Generation Rent has warned about the major impact of landlords selling up on homelessness. Sold properties lost to the PRS The survey also found that more than 54.5% of landlords were in the process of selling properties last year at the time of the survey. PayProp UK managing director Neil Cobbold said: “We know from our survey that the majority of homes sold by landlords (66.7%) are purchased by first time buyers. So, every time a landlord puts a house up for sale, it will generally be permanently lost to the Private Rented Sector (PRS). “These buyers are generally also the more well-off tenants who are best equipped to deal with the steep PRS price increases we are seeing. That loss of stock and well-financed tenants puts the PRS under pressure, with fewer homes to rent and lots of pent-up demand from less well-off tenants, which in turn can lead to higher rental prices as they compete for the remaining properties. “The question we should be asking is ‘Why are so many landlords selling properties?’” Feeling squeezed? “One reason may be the age of the average landlord, which according to the latest English Private Landlord Survey was 58 in 2021. By now, they may be thinking about retirement and taking the money they have invested in property as an annuity. “However, in other cases, a lack of profitability will be an issue. A number of factors – an absence of tax reform to address mortgage costs; higher buy-to-let mortgage rates; increased regulation: and the headlines around the abolition of Section 21 evictions – have all combined to make life uncomfortable for many landlords. “If this trend towards fewer PRS properties is going to be reversed, the Government has to find a way to keep landlords in the PRS and encourage more investors to join the sector. If not, supply will remain under pressure and rents will continue to rise, making life more difficult for tenants who are already feeling squeezed.” The government heralded their Renters (Reform) Bill as the most radical reform of the PRS in a generation, and it has dominated coverage in the trade press. Among its proposals are: After passing its Third Commons Reading last month, the proposed legislation has now progressed to the House of Lords. Expertise on hand from agents Given the scope of these changes to the PRS, it is not surprising that the vast majority of respondents (97.6%) were aware of them. There was also a significant drop in very negative sentiment about the current state of the industry (down 13.1% on 2022), perhaps because of the amendments to address the Bill’s perceived imbalance between the rights of the tenant and those of the landlord to gain repossession of their property. The largest group expressed a ‘neutral’ view (46.8%). However, with the upcoming changes to the Renters (Reform) Bill, the survey found that property professionals were a little more optimistic about the future of the PRS than in 2022. More than half (51.6%) felt either positive or very positive about the rental industry’s prospects. Even so, fewer respondents could see themselves working in the sector in five years’ time with 12.9% saying it was ‘unlikely’ or ‘very unlikely’. PayProp’s full Rental Confidence Index 2024 can be read here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Clowes Developments have appointed Derbyshire based estate agent Boxall Brown & Jones to market Riber View Apartments in Matlock. Since constructing the 47 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 450 to 765 square feet, Clowes have successfully sold or let a number of apartments. The group have engaged Boxall Brown & Jones to market the remaining properties. Boxall Brown & Jones were appointed based on their reputation within the Derby and surrounding areas as a leading residential estate agent. Established in 1989, Boxall Brown & Jones are an independent firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors and Estate Agents offering the very highest standards in residential property sales, lettings and surveying. Based in the historic city of Derby, with a north Derbyshire office in Belper, they are proud to be leading residential Estate Agents committed to delivering the highest level of customer service. The experienced team provide a wealth of knowledge and local expertise. Boxall Brown & Jones are members of and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the National Association of Estate Agents and are part of the Ombudsman scheme for Estate Agents to assure full consumer protection for their clients. Initially there will be a limited number of apartments listed on the popular residential property website, Rightmove, with properties being viewed on an ‘appointment only’ basis. The apartments are ideal for first time buyers eager to get onto the property ladder, downsizers looking to scale back their living arrangements in a great location at the heart of Matlock and young professionals who want to live in the Peak District but commute to cities such as Derby, Nottingham or Sheffield. The apartments also provide an idyllic location for second or holiday homes. Jo Hutchinson and Anthony Lomas, Partners at Boxall Brown & Jones estate agents will be leading the sales team on behalf of Clowes Developments, Jo commented: “We are delighted to be appointed to market the Riber View Apartments in Matlock. We believe the scheme offers an amazing opportunity for buyers to purchase high quality spacious apartments, in an unrivalled location, close to the heart of Matlock and within easy reach of the Peak District.” The first tranche of apartments will be available to view from Saturday 1st June at an exclusive open day organised by Boxall Brown and Jones. To book an appointment, interested parties are invited to contact Jo Hutchinson at the Belper office on 01773 880788 or j.hutchinson@boxallbrownandjones.co.uk, or Anthony Lomas in the Derby office on 01332 553838 or a.lomas@boxallbrownandjones.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Persimmon Homes Wessex has submitted plans for the third phase of the Jubilee Gardens development that would trigger construction on the next 193 high-quality homes if approved by Wiltshire Council. The phase would involve a mixture of properties from the five-star developer and its sister company, Charles Church, and approval would mean 58 of these would be designated for a local housing provider, helping put a dent in Wiltshire’s 4,300-strong housing waiting list. The application delivers on the continued extension of the Linear Park, including active travel links and a play area. It will also complete the full length of the central spine road, connecting the previously approved sections from the two new junctions. As part of the wider development, Persimmon will invest millions of pounds in the local vicinity as the housebuilder delivers a sustainable community for local people. This will include land for a new primary school, significant areas of open space including a riverside park, equipped children’s play areas, two areas of sports pitches and associated changing rooms. A local centre, allotments, public art, employment land, improvements to public footpaths, new pedestrian and cycle routes, biodiversity enhancements and a dedicated ecology area will also be delivered at Jubilee Gardens. Significant financial contributions will also be made towards education provision, bus services connecting the scheme with town centre, signal upgrades to improve vehicle movements in the town centre, health care in Warminster, and enhancements to local public rights of way. A sizeable financial contribution will also be made by the housebuilder to provide funding for local infrastructure priorities – the Victoria Road roundabout is now complete and work is commencing this month on the access from Bath Road. The application follows a visit from the board of Selwood Housing, a local housing association partner, to the site – where Persimmon has already transferred properties to them as part of its plans – to see how their high-quality homes are built. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NEWLY re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for his third term. Today he unveils measures to increase the amount of social housing in the city-region, improve the standard of rented accommodation and end the housing crisis in Greater Manchester by 2038. The Mayor’s announcements include: The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater Manchester can’t achieve its full potential as long as it remains in the grip of a housing crisis. That is why I am setting a new ambition for the city-region to end it within a decade. “Ten thousand new council homes will help to do that as long as stock can be retained. That’s why we’re calling for the suspension of Right to Buy. “Everyone deserves to live in a good, safe home and by building new council homes, and suspending the Right to Buy on them, we can give our councils the breathing space they desperately need to replenish their stock, so that all of those waiting in temporary accommodation or on the housing registers have the chance to access good homes.” Access to social housing is essential to many residents in Greater Manchester, as capped rent increases provide some protection to tenants against the soaring rents seen in the private rented sector. The average rental price of a two-bed property in Manchester increased by 12.5% between February 2023-24, against an England average of 8.9%. Limiting access to affordable social housing can therefore help fuel a rise in housing insecurity, homelessness, and families in temporary accommodation. The new ‘Housing First’ approach aims to address the main challenges for housing in Greater Manchester – poor living standards, especially in the private rented sector and low availability of truly-affordable housing – by implementing a collaborative, multi-agency approach that can address issues by developing tailored, whole-system solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
