|
| In this issue... | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Can you Afford to Live in Cornwall? |
|
|
|
Page 3 of 6 Bjorn Howard, chief executive Officer of Coastline Housing, says that more and more housing development schemes now factor in affordable housing. As an officer of a social enterprise that houses people in Cornwall, he is only too aware of the problems faced by many in the county. “It’s a huge problem, but we also need to address our overall view towards housing. For example, in France and Germany there’s more emphasis on renting, whereas in the UK we sometimes frown upon those who rent. The materials to construct houses could also be changed. We could build timber framed houses, which would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly.” It’s a view shared by many and also appears to be a logical one. In fact Bjorn Howard’s fresh approach to affordable housing makes a lot of sense. He advocates more coherence in planning, for example. This would ensure that every development has a large proportion of affordable housing that would be operated as shared ownership. At the moment, the six district councils can’t really agree on the best way forward, though they all agree it’s a huge problem. However, they are now slowly starting to talk the same language. The topic of second homes is one always thrown in whenever there’s a debate on housing. Many councils are now charging 90 per cent council tax on second homes in the Cornwall. The money that is generated then funds the creation of affordable houses. This is a system that is already working in South East Cornwall, where families have moved into the first six affordable homes in the area to be paid for by increased council tax on second homes. The scheme is run by Caradon District Council, Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Housing, who joined forces on the £303,718 scheme to transform six former holiday homes in the village of Rilla Mill into affordable homes for local people. The second homes money paid for the both the purchase and refurbishment of the two bedroom properties. Councillor John Turner, Caradon District Council’s housing portfolio holder, said: “The shortage of affordable housing is the biggest issue facing many families in South East Cornwall, and indeed Cornwall as a whole. I am delighted to see the second homes money going some way towards addressing the affordable housing problem locally, and am particularly pleased to see properties that were once holiday homes now providing real, long-term homes for local people.” |
||||||||