Yorkshire Housing have joined 22 other housing associations to set out their offer to support the new devolved structures in York and North Yorkshire.
The York and North Yorkshire Housing Prospectus sets out how housing associations can work with the new combined authority and the York and North Yorkshire Councils to take a strategic approach to delivering the affordable homes the region needs. They have agreed to focus on three key areas: building the right homes in the right place, the drive to net zero and boosting jobs and the local economy.
The combined authority will elect its first mayor next year, following the York and North Yorkshire devolution deal agreed by the government in August last year.
The deal gives the region new powers to help boost local regeneration and build more affordable homes. Over £13m will be made available to build new homes on brownfield land and £2.65m will help support the delivery of low carbon affordable homes.
Between them housing associations own and manage more than 30,000 homes across North Yorkshire’s seven districts. Managing these homes adds £75m to the regional economy every year and supports around 1600 full time jobs.
The affordable homes crisis in North Yorkshire is most acute in the county’s rural areas, with the most desirable locations commanding property prices that far outstrip average wages. Building more affordable homes in these areas in key to giving younger people and those on lower incomes the option to stay in their local communities.
On average North Yorkshire has 6% less affordable homes than in other parts of the country and it is estimated that more than 800 new affordable homes need to be built each year to alleviate the crisis.
Housing associations will also focus on tackling climate change. UK homes are a major contributor of carbon emissions and homes in North Yorkshire are among the least energy efficient in the country. Housing associations are already committed to reducing carbon emissions and meeting government targets. They can help North Yorkshire reach net-zero by 2034 and many are already using low carbon solutions, such as Air Source Heat Pumps and solar panels with battery storage to reduce the energy needs of new and existing homes.
In Staxton, a rural village in North Yorkshire, Yorkshire Housing are spending £1.5m to improve the energy efficiency of 15 homes. They are installing heat pumps, solar panels, external wall insulation as well as upgrading windows and doors.
Nick Atkin, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Housing said: “North Yorkshire is in the midst of a housing crisis, and you now need more than nine times your annual income to buy a house here. More than 8,000 people are on housing waiting lists and although the region has met its overall target of building 5,000 new homes each year, this hides the lack of truly affordable homes.
“By working together, housing associations can provide a valuable and significant contribution to improve the housing offer across York and North Yorkshire.
“Housing has a pivotal role in levelling up communities across the region. Ultimately, this isn’t just about bricks and mortar, but about providing homes and places where people can thrive.
“Housing associations have a longstanding track record of investing in communities and designing and delivering the homes people want. By working in partnership on agreed housing priorities we can help to deliver the vision for the region and improve the lives of the 830,000 people who call it home.”
The group is exploring the options to form a formal housing partnership which will report annually on progress against delivery of the prospectus. The housing associations will also be collectively engaging with all the mayoral candidates ahead of next year’s elections.