Maintaining the delivery of housing

The start of the year brought about challenges to deliver an increased level of housing growth, as set out in the Published RSS. However, part way through the year the credit crunch worsened and the economy fell into recession.

While the longer term objectives of preparing for a step-up in housing remained a priority, there were immediate short term activities needed to maintain delivery of housing.

• the Region met the increased targets for housing growth 2007/08 but the worsening economic crisis has seen less market housing being delivered
• this has a knock on effect on the Region's ability to meet affordable housing targets
• there is a need for Core Strategies to be in place to determine short and long term land supply
• there is are a lack of long term options for growth emerging from the Regions Core Strategies
• First Time Buyers face real difficulties in accessing market housing
• both private sector and Housing Association developers are facing difficulties

Mirroring the difficulties experienced nationally, to date only five Core Strategies are adopted:

• Hambleton
• North York Moors
• Harrogate
• Sheffield
• Wakefield

To date only one housing allocations document has been adaopted:

• Hambleton

The Assembly prepared a Regional Practice Guide "Understanding Yorkshire and Humber’s Strategic Housing Land Availability" in April 2008 and has assisted with and commented on Local Authority prepared SHLAAs. There are 21 authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber Region who are required to prepare a SHLAA (the two National Parks do not have a RSS housing target). To date, 6 authorities have completed their SHLAA and a further 3 have consulted on final draft versions. Of the remaining 12 authorities, 7 are expected to publish before 31 March 2009. The other 5 authorities are expected to complete their SHLAAs by summer 2009.

The Regional Housing Board has overseen work on an Action Plan to support delivery in a weakening market. This has supported the dialogue in the region on making effective use of public resources to support the Registered Social Landlord programme, the purchase of unsold private built units and mortgage rescue products.

Government Office has consulted local authorities on potential actions to maintain delivery of housing in the current weak market.

The Assembly is currently preparing an RSS Update which includes ways of looking at identifying areas for longer term development, a focus on SHLAA evidence and forecasting future delivery through the current recession and subsequent recovery.

All this work is ongoing and the delivery of housing against weak market conditions will remain a priority for 2009/10.