The local housing context

York has a housing crisis which includes a critical lack of delivery of affordable homes. The City does not have a 5-year housing land supply and affordable housing is expected to be delivered on the back of new market housing development. However, over many years, this has not delivered the level of affordable housing needed for the city. Whilst York is aiming to adopt a Local Plan which will help with housing delivery, there is a significant and demonstrable current shortfall, and an especially urgent need to provide new affordable homes quickly and with certainty.

Key housing statistics

City of York Council has identified a need to provide 573 new affordable homes each year. However, a total of just 461 affordable homes were delivered in York in the 6 years between 2013/14 to 2018/19.
Affordable homes lost through right to buy means the net provision during this period was just 77 additional affordable homes.

These statistics illustrate the lack of affordable housing delivery locally. The impact of this is deeply felt by young people and families who are struggling to access affordable rent or to purchase a home in the city. People are being forced to move away from York and away from their roots to access affordable homes. Therefore, the delivery of modern and high quality affordable homes now will help to address this crisis.