Press Releases

Wednesday 24th October 2007

New evidence of continuing housing crisis in Milton Keynes

Political and public support for a major housebuilding programme is urgently needed in Milton Keynes to alleviate the local housing crisis, says Midsummer Housing Association.

 

The National Housing Federation has published South East Home Truths: The real cost of housing 2007-2012, an annual update of official key housing facts and figures in the South East. The report shows that the lack of affordable homes in the region is resulting in a rapidly escalating housing crisis.

• Over the last five years, housing waiting lists in Milton Keynes have increased by 11.4%.
• The average house price in Milton Keynes is currently 9 times the average income.

South East Home Truths: The real cost of housing 2007 - 2012 includes Oxford Economic house price forecasts for the next five years. The figures show that affordability is going to worsen drastically as house prices across the South East are set to increase by a further 51% to an average of nearly £400,000 by 2012.

 

Maggie Sherlock, Chief Executive of Midsummer said:
"The shortage of affordable homes is now a familiar issue in most households. Additional affordable homes are needed urgently to ensure that the local economy and community continue to thrive. Milton Keynes is a growth area and has responded positively to the challenge to build more homes of all tenures. However, recent problems in financial sectors may slow up the number of new homes built and the emphasis on regenerating existing communities. Midsummer is working hard with the private and public sector to try to ensure that this does not happen and that we meet or exceed government targets."

 

Derek Cash, Head of South Region for the National Housing Federation, said:
"We are heartened by the Government's Green Paper and promise of additional funding for affordable housing," said Mr Cash. "But local and regional political support for housebuilding campaigns is also required in order to deliver the homes the South East so desperately needs."

 

"Local communities should also support planning applications, which will offer a lifeline to youngsters who want to live in their own area by providing rented and shared ownership housing," said Mr Cash.

 

He added that politicians of all parties saw this issue as a major priority but it was now time for them all to "turn their words into real action."