Leeds City Council
During the past few years, we have seen the cost of homes and land rise faster than regional and national rates – particularly in the Golden Triangle area.
We have experience of delivering affordable housing in high value areas across the city, but finding new ways of doing this is becoming more and more difficult. For a number of years, grants from the Housing Corporation have helped Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to build new homes in Leeds. However, due to the increase in land values in the city Registered Social Landlords have found it harder to build affordable homes only using grants. This has meant that the only way to provide affordable housing in high value areas (such as the Golden Triangle) has been through the planning system.
Improved communication and closer working between housing and planning teams has led to shared strategies and policies, and joint negotiations. This has brought an increase in the number of new affordable homes in the city.
City of York Council
The City of York Council has increasingly provided affordable homes for rent and sale via PPG3 and S106. This has meant close partnership working with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), Private Developers and Planning Officers. In 2003/04 over 70% of new affordable homes for rent have been provided in this way. Latest estimates for 2004/05 and 2005/06 indicate that around 85% of new affordable homes in York will be provided this way. High house prices and private rents together with a housing waiting list of over 3,000 households means that in York - like our Golden Triangle neighbours- we must increase the number of affordable homes we deliver.
In recent years, open market land values have priced housing associations out of bidding for sites. In addition, there are very few council owned housing sites of any significant size available. This means that delivering affordable housing through planning gain on private developments has taken on a huge significance. WE have secured more than 80% of recent new affordable housing through this route.
The council works closely with housing associations and private developers to deliver affordable homes, and to find new ways of increasing the number in the city. We also explore ways of reducing the number of homeless households through preventative work, as well as giving advice on low cost home ownership options.
Harrogate Borough Council
Property prices in Harrogate are very high and development land is generally in short supply – adding to the difficulty of providing affordable housing.
For a number of years, the Council has worked very successfully with the Housing Corporation and our joint commissioning (housing association) partners to provide as much affordable housing as possible on all available sites. We will continue to do this and seek other innovative ways of increasing affordable housing provision if we want to make any impression on our district’s housing needs problem.
Home Housing
Home - formerly Home Housing - is one of the UK’s largest providers of affordable housing, care and support and we are committed to creating thriving communities where people want to live.
Our central region covers the Yorkshire and Midlands areas, where we currently own and manage 3,500 properties, and we have an ambitious development plan.
We have worked with all three local authorities across the Golden Triangle area. We have also worked with the Housing Corporation to deliver the largest grant-funded affordable housing programme in the region.
Yorkshire Housing Association
Yorkshire Housing works with over 20 local authority partners, mainly in Yorkshire. We manage 14,000 homes and build over 300 homes a year. Some of our work is within the Golden Triangle and we have good relationships with all of the Golden Triangle local authorities. We are experienced in delivering affordable homes by developing sites, and working creatively with developers and local authorities through the planning system. We also undertake mixed tenure developments, which may include affordable housing as well as discounted homes and full market housing for sale and rent.
Accent Housing Group
Accent Yorkshire is a non-stock owning, operational management company within the Accent Group. We draw on the many resources of Accent as a community investment business. We work strategically and operationally with our local authority partners to address the housing and related needs of Yorkshire people.
Accent is a national lead partner with the Housing Corporation for its affordable housing programme. Locally we have housing stock in all three of the Golden Triangle areas. We have pledged to work with the members of the Partnership to alleviate the need of many people in the area for affordable quality accommodation.
This will be by a variety of types and tenures to suit the differing circumstances of people who need to secure or improve their position in the housing market. Where possible, we will find ways of adding extra value to developments and bringing other benefits such as employment opportunities or community facilities.