District celebrates record number of affordable homes

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is celebrating the completion of a record-breaking number of new affordable homes for its residents during the last financial year (2015-16).

During the year ending 31 March 2016, a total of 288 new affordable homes were built.  This is the highest ever figure for at least twenty years (when the Council sold all its housing stock in 1996).

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, commenting on this achievement, said: “Last year was not only a record-breaking achievement for the Council, but also a good reflection on its long-standing commitment to meeting the housing needs of our local communities.  The fact that we have continued to provide good quality affordable homes for our local residents, despite the challenging circumstances facing both the Council and its partners, is a credit to all involved.  Most importantly, the new homes provided will play a crucial role in maintaining the sustainability and vitality of our towns and villages."

The background to last year's performance is a continuation of a long-term trend in the worsening affordability of housing.  Stratford-on-Avon District has for many years had the highest average house prices and rents in the West Midlands.

To address this challenge, the District Council has worked with its housing association partners to provide over 800 new affordable homes for rent or sale over the past five years.  This will also make a vital contribution towards meeting the new housing targets in its emerging Core Strategy.

The 288 homes completed last year were built across a range of sites in: Alcester, Bidford-on-Avon, Bishops Itchington, Kineton, Meon Vale (the new settlement formerly known as the Long Marston Estate), Shipston-on-Stour, Southam, Stratford-upon-Avon, Welford-on-Avon and Wellesbourne.

Other highlights last year included the completion of:

• A Rural Housing Programme, originally agreed in 2012.  That Programme, financially supported by the District Council, has enabled the development of several community-led rural housing schemes: the final scheme, at Jubilee Fields, Stockton, was completed in June 2015.
• A specialised Extra Care Housing scheme for older people by the Orbit Group at Tithe Lodge, Southam.