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Issue - meetings
First Homes in Hastings
Meeting: 31/01/2022 - Cabinet (Item 411)
411 First Homes in Hastings PDF 902 KB
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment, submitted a report to share research on the national First Homes criteria in the local context and explore whether the introduction of local criteria can better support development viability and help ensure that local households, who may otherwise struggle to purchase a new home, benefit from the scheme.
First Homes is a government policy which has been introduced to help first-time home buyers purchase a home. It is a new form of discounted market housing and is considered an affordable housing product for planning purposes. It will be delivered through the planning process and supports the government’s aims to promote home ownership.
Under rule 13.3 the recommendations of the report were agreed without being called for discussion.
Under the emergency powers set out in Rule 26.22 of the Council’s Constitution the Managing Director is authorised to implement the following decision in consultation with Councillors Forward, Barnett, Batsford, Chowney, Evans, Rogers & Webb.
RESOLVED:
1. That the council introduces Interim Guidance for First Homes which includes the following local criteria:
· A household income cap of £60,000 (reduced from the national £80,000 cap)
· The value of the First Home, after the discount has been applied, to be capped at £210,000 (reduced from the national £250,000 cap)
· A local connection and key worker criteria
2. That the Assistant Director, Housing & Built Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, are granted delegated powers to agree a Key Worker definition for the Interim Guidance.Reasons:
1. The demand for affordable housing in Hastings far outweighs supply and it is increasingly difficult for local families to meet rising housing costs and to access affordable accommodation. There are growing numbers of households living in temporary, unsuitable accommodation, presenting as homeless and hoping to be re-housed through the council’s housing register. Unfortunately, alongside this there are fewer social housing homes becoming available to rent each year.
2. There are a range of affordable housing products however the council is committed to maximising affordable rent as it can support those households most in housing need. However, through the introduction of the First Homes policy, the government has prioritised the provision of discounted market sale housing. Unfortunately, this has the ability to impact the delivery of affordable rent homes.
3. The recommendations in this report seek to:
· Support development viability and the potential provision of other forms of affordable housing
· Support Hastings residents to purchase new homes which will free up accommodation elsewhere in the town
· Support households in Hastings who would otherwise have difficulties purchasing on the open market
· Safeguard affordable housing for local people
· Ensure that affordable housing is not targeted at high end housing
· Attract key workers to take up jobs in Hastings where there is a skills shortage
· Offer a proportionate response given limited capacity and the demands on council resources
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