The plan to build 60,000 new homes, including 25,000 affordable properties, has been welcomed by housing organisations across the region.
At a meeting of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) today (May 1) in York, its draft Housing Growth Strategy was formally adopted, with the ambition to see the new homes delivered over the next 10 years.
York and North Yorkshire Mayor, David Skaith said: "The only way to tackle the housing crisis in York and North Yorkshire is to build our way out of it. We're stepping up to build 60,000 new homes by 2035, with a firm commitment that 25,000 of these will be genuinely affordable.
“Working in close partnership with Homes England and the local councils, we'll ensure we deliver the right homes in the right places with the right infrastructure."
The draft Housing Growth Strategy was developed in consultation with City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council, Homes England, and the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership (YNYHP).
It lays out plans for accelerating housing development and increasing the supply of affordable housing through collaboration with Homes England, YNYHP, the region’s two local authorities, housing associations and homebuilders.
York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership’s chair, Nick Atkin said: “We welcome this strategy and its strong commitment to delivering more affordable and social homes. The need for high‑quality, affordable housing is clear and growing.
“In parts of York and North Yorkshire, housing is among the least affordable in the North, particularly in rural communities where limited supply makes it harder for local people to stay where they live and work.
“Housing associations are leading the way in meeting this demand and ready to deliver more. By backing affordable housing at scale, this strategy will deliver 25,000 affordable homes and create stronger communities across our region.”
The strategy has also been welcomed by housing associations in the region.
Rosemary Du Rose, chief executive of Beyond Housing and vice-chair of YNYHP, said: “At Beyond Housing, we are committed to providing quality homes that meet the needs of a wide range of people. That includes homes for affordable rent, alongside routes into owning a home, such as shared ownership and rent to buy.
“We know that many people in North Yorkshire, including those in full time work, are finding it increasingly difficult to afford market rents or buy a home locally. Increasing the supply of genuinely affordable housing will be an important part of addressing that challenge and supporting strong, sustainable communities."
Claire Townson is Chief Executive Officer of Broadacres Housing Association in Northallerton, she said: “Broadacres is proud of the part it is playing in delivering more affordable homes, particularly in market towns and rural communities North Yorkshire where the price of renting or buying a home privately often means local people having to move away from the places where they grew up.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide highly energy efficient, sustainable homes for now and the future - homes available for either social rent or shared ownership and which appeal to a wide cross section of the local community.”
In September last year the Combined Authority partnered with Homes England to launch the Strategic Place Partnership (SPP). The agreement, which also includes City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council and York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership, aims to speed up homebuilding in coastal, urban and rural areas.
The SPP commits to speeding up delivery of ‘investment ready’ sites, such as land already granted planning permission, and stalled sites. It will also strive to ensure all new homes are built using methods to support the region’s goal of achieving carbon negative by 2040.
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