Finding the key to more affordable housing
CALL TO UNLOCK PUBLIC LAND AS DATA SHOWS SALARY NEEDED TO BUY IN HILLINGDON
S PRstill unable to afford their rent.
The reason for the “growing crisis” is the shortfall in new housing in the borough, with Hillingdon missing its targets between AN AVERAGE earner in Hillingdon will 2012 and 2016, with 7,061 too few homes need a 243% pay raise to be able to afford a built. mortgage, new research has found. Across London, between 2012 and 2016,
House Prices in Hillingdon are now 15 177, 590 too few homes were built, accordtimes the average local salary, reaching ing to the foundation’s report. £444,016 according to The London Home The foundation believes that the key to Truths 2017/18 report, which found the solving the housing crisis is unlocking pubborough is experiencing a “housing crisis”. lic land, with City Hall identifying 36,287
The annual report by the National Houssites which could be built on, with potential ing Federation also found that average for 130,000 homes. monthly rents in the borough now stand at The sites are owned either by the Mayor £1,198, taking up around 49% of private of London, Government departments, renters’ income.
The National Housing Federation report concluded that the disparity between house prices and income is making home ownership impossible for many private renters.
The report also found that four in 10 recipients of Housing Benefit in Hillingdon (39%) are actually in work, but are
ILondon’s boroughs, Transport for London and the NHS.
Ruth Williamson, external affairs manager for the National Housing Federation, said: “The housing market has seen a relentless rise in the gap between house prices and people’s salaries. Hillingdon is no exception.
“Attaining a mortgage is increasingly unrealistic and private sector rents make saving up that bit more difficult.
“As this year’s Home Truths report shows, it is more important than ever for the sector to be able to deliver homes that are truly affordable.
“If we want to get serious about ending the housing crisis, we need to start looking at unlocking more land so we can build homes faster.”
The housing market has seen a relentless rise in the gap between house prices and people’s salaries – Hillingdon is no exception