They have acknowledged that many people, especially younger residents, are priced out of the market in Buckinghamshire.
The Council have announced they are taking proactive steps to tackle the challenges around delivering enough affordable housing in the county, and are treating it as a priority.
Over the next 12 months, as well as exploring the piloting of an affordable housing development using one of its own disused sites, Buckinghamshire Council will:
- work closely with house builders and use planning obligations to maximise delivery of affordable housing on all new sites. Developers who apply for planning permission for homes have to supply a percentage of affordable homes within their development. On average, this system has delivered 643 new affordable homes in Buckinghamshire each year.
- work closely with Registered Social Landlords to support them to deliver their development plans and also use s106 funds and other enabling grants to make nomination rights for affordable rented accommodation available to those on the Bucks Home Choice system.
- engage with private house builders to explore the viability of acquiring homes to accommodate key workers. Provided this is a viable option, the Council will deliver at least one scheme in 2022.
- review and catalogue empty homes in Buckinghamshire and explore if these can be brought back into use. Council Tax charges for persistently empty homes will also be reviewed.
Councillor Nick Naylor, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services said:
“We know here, like in many other places, there’s a real shortage of homes people can really can afford, whether that’s through being able to buy their own property or living somewhere with truly affordable rent. We also know it’s essential there’s enough affordable housing for key workers to access.
Today is a good step forward in this process which goes hand in hand with our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy – these are really important issues for us to tackle to create better opportunities and circumstances for all of our residents.”
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