Housing supply falls to two-year low across city

The supply of new housing in Sunderland fell for the second year in a row last year.

In 2016/17 there were 725 new properties completed in the city – 103 fewer than were finished in 2014/15.

Taking into account conversions and changes of use, as well as demolitions, it meant that the net housing supply for the city increased by 829 last year.

This is a fall from 895 in 2015/16 and 907 in 2014/15.

The figures, from the House of Commons Library, showed more than 3,400 homes have been added to Sunderland in the last five years.

As assessment of Sunderland’s housing requirements completed in 2016 found the city needs to build 819 homes a year until 2035.

Coun Stuart Porthouse, cabinetmemberforHousing and Regeneration, said: “The City Council is very keen to see more new housing.

“It continues to explore funding opportunities and is preparing a ‘Housing Infrastructure Fund’ bid for the South Sunderland Growth Area.

“Where funding is available for development partners, the council works to support these funding bids.

“All this work has to be seen in the national housing context and the council also has to work within the rules and guidelines set down by Government.

“Nonetheless, the council is making good progress with its Local Plan and current funding bids for housing that will help deliver more than 13,000 new homes by 2033.”