Meeting the housing need of a growing population and providing a range of high quality affordable homes in sustainable locations are critical priorities for the city and its residents.
The changing make-up of the city’s population, combined with current market conditions and changes in national policy have all had a major impact on the need and demand for housing in Newcastle.
Local authorities are also facing new measures designed to ease planning restrictions and boost the economy which will allow house builders to no longer have to build affordable homes on some stalled sites if they can prove they are commercially unviable.
Newcastle is also facing a steep rise in the proportion of people in later life who have complex and wide ranging needs.
To help tackle these issues, the city council is launching a public debate on ‘Delivering Fairer Housing for All’ at its Policy Cabinet on Wednesday 12 September (4.30pm) at Walker Activity Dome, Wharrier Street, Newcastle, NE6 3BR.
The debate will explore these and related housing issues in more detail, highlighting the challenges, how they impact on individuals and families and how the council and partners are addressing them.
In attendance will be partners and stakeholders from the housing sector, residents’ groups, tenants’ associations, landlords, residents and members of the public to discuss housing need and how the city can meet it.
Without a robust plan, Newcastle will continue to lose people of working age who are critical to the success of the regional economy. Currently, approximately 1400 people are leaving the city each year for surrounding areas which can offer a wider range of family housing.
Many of these people are commuting into the city for work, creating rising levels of congestion, air pollution and damaging the economy.
There are wider related impacts of changes in the housing market on older people, those with care and support needs, the homeless and young families which need to be addressed.
To respond to the need the city council needs to do the following:
Cllr Henri Murison, cabinet member for quality of life at Newcastle City Council, said: "The council is committed to making choice in housing a reality for all our residents. We make the best use of the social housing we have, but there are too many people who can't get into accommodation which they can afford and meets their needs.
“We will build more social housing to make it easier to access and our £25 million Future Homes Fund will help us build these homes on brownfield or previously developed sites in the city.
"We will give older people choice to live independently for longer and will make sure families can choose houses that are affordable and fit for their need. Most importantly, we will work towards a universal standard of private rented accommodation by working with responsible landlords and cracking down on irresponsible ones.”
Page last updated: 11 September, 2012
