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Istead Rise Housing Needs Survey July 2012
Tessa O’Sullivan Rural Housing Enabler Contents Page
1. Executive Summary 3
2. Introduction to the Istead Rise Housing Needs Survey 4
3. Background Information 4
4. Method 5
5. Results 6
6. Local Housing Costs 16
7. Assessment of Housing Need 19
8. Summary of Findings 26
9. Appendix IR1 – Question 7 comments 27
10. Appendix IR2 – Letter to householders and housing needs survey 48
2 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) undertook a housing needs survey in Istead Rise to ascertain if there are shortfalls in affordable housing provision within the village. This report provides overall information as well as analysis of housing need.
A survey was delivered to every household within Istead Rise in June 2012. Approximately 1430 surveys were distributed with 599 surveys being returned, representing a 42% response rate.
Analysis of the returned survey forms identified that 97% of all respondents are owner occupiers. 74% of respondents have lived in Istead Rise for over 10 years.
High property prices and a predominance of privately owned homes means that some local people are unable to afford a home within Istead Rise. This problem is exacerbated at present as tighter restrictions are being placed on mortgages by lenders; the result of the current economic climate. For a first time buyer an income of £46,143 per annum and a deposit of £28,500 are needed to buy the cheapest property available within Istead Rise, which, at the time of writing the report, was a 2 bed semi detached bungalow for £190,000; there were no 1 beds available. To be able to afford to rent privately an income of approximately £42,000 is required for the cheapest property available which was a 2 bed semi detached bungalow for £875pcm. Only three properties were found to rent privately in the area; there were no 1 bed houses or flats available.
Our analysis has also identified that: • A total of 13 adults and 10 children have a housing need • The ages of respondents in housing need range from 09 to 4559. • 7 respondents with a housing need currently live in Istead Rise and 1 lives outside; they used to live there and currently have family living there.
Overall, a need for up to 8 affordable homes, for the following local households was identified: • 3 single people • 1 couple • 4 families
3 2. INTRODUCTION TO THE ISTEAD RISE HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY
Istead Rise is a village approximately 3 miles south of Gravesend in the Borough of Gravesham with a population of 3,505 (2001 Census). The nearest railway station is 2 miles away at Meopham (34 minutes from London Victoria) and Ebbsfleet International railway station is 4 miles away. Facilities in Istead Rise include a primary school, community centre, medical practice and 2 small shopping parades.
Rural Housing Needs Surveys aim to investigate and establish the affordable housing needs of people who live in or have close ties to a parish or rural area, and provide an independent report of that need, if any, using a transparent and robust methodology.
The Rural Housing Enabler worked with Gravesham Borough Council to determine the format of the housing needs survey to be used in the Gravesham area; this was then sent to all Parish Councils in the borough for consultation. It is intended that all the rural areas of the Borough will be surveyed on a rollingout programme.
A survey was undertaken in Istead Rise to establish the level of need for affordable housing.
The aim of this survey is to identify in general terms if there is, or is not, a housing need from local people. It is not to provide a list of names and addresses of individuals requiring a home. If a need is identified, then a further Registration of Interest survey may be undertaken to update the levels of housing need. At this stage, further details such as name and address, income, housing need and details of local connection will be taken. The identification of potential sites, e.g. infill sites, to meet the identified need would then be undertaken, preferably with the assistance of the Istead Rise Community Association.
3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In a report published in October 2010, the National Housing Federation’s Rural Housing Alliance has stated that ‘The average rural house price in England is now more than twelve times the average salary of people living in rural areas. In order to obtain a mortgage, a person living and working in the countryside would need to earn £66,000 per year’. * They state that the average rural salary is approximately £20,000.
Small developments of local needs housing schemes can provide affordable housing for local people, thereby enabling them to stay in their community and contribute to village life. This can make a real difference to the vitality of village services.
In 2007 Matthew Taylor, then MP for Truro and St Austell, was asked by the then Prime Minister to conduct a review on how land use and planning can better support rural business and deliver affordable housing. Many rural communities are faced by a combination of higher than average house prices and lower than average local wages. This can create challenges for individual families, the local economy and the wider sustainability of the community.
On July 23 rd 2008 Matthew Taylor presented his Review to the Government. Caroline Flint, Housing Minister at the time, indicated that the Government agreed with the core principles of the report and would take further measures to boost rural enterprise and affordable housing.
* Affordable Rural Housing: A practical guide for parish councils. October 2010. National Housing Federation
4 Caroline Flint said: “Matthew Taylor has provided a comprehensive and authoritative report into the issues that our rural communities face, as well as a number of practical recommendations. He has been talking to people right across the country and his report will have a lasting impact on policy that will help their communities prosper. I thank him for that hard work.”
"It's simply not fair that people in rural communities struggle to afford a place of their own. I am determined that we do everything we can to further help people in rural communities into home ownership, by for example helping landowners to establish community land trusts and by ensuring councils deliver the sustainable homes their communities need."
Rural Affairs Minister Jonathan Shaw said: “Everyone should have the chance of a decent home at a price they can afford in a place they want to live and work in, and that goes for rural people too.”
The Government issued their response to the review in March 2009 where they accepted the majority of Matthew Taylor’s recommendations (DCLG: 2009).
The Rural Housing Enabler Programme, which is delivered in Kent through Action with Communities in Rural Kent – the Rural Community Council for Kent and Medway, is supported by Local Authorities across Kent and Medway including Gravesham Borough Council.
Action with Communities in Rural Kent is a registered charity (No. 212796) whose purpose is to improve the quality of life of local communities, particularly for disadvantaged people, and to facilitate the development of thriving, diverse and sustainable communities throughout rural Kent. Since March 1998 Action with Communities in Rural Kent has employed a Rural Housing Enabler whose role is to provide independent support, advice and information to Parish Councils and community groups concerned with the lack of local needs housing in their rural communities.
The RHE will assist with carrying out a housing needs survey, analyse the results and help identify suitable sites in conjunction with the local authority and others, for local needs housing schemes. Once a partnership has been established between the Parish Council, the chosen housing association and the local authority to develop schemes, the independent role of the RHE helps to ensure the projects proceed smoothly and to the benefit of the community.
4. METHOD
The Rural Housing Enabler from Action with Communities in Rural Kent posted a copy of the survey to every household in Istead Rise in June 2012.
Surveys were returned in prepaid envelopes to Action with Communities in Rural Kent. Copies of the survey were available for anyone to complete who had left Istead Rise and wished to return, they were held by the Rural Housing Enabler. It was asked that completed survey forms were returned by 20 th June 2012. All surveys received at Action with Communities in Rural Kent by the 20 th June are included in this report.
Approximately 1430 surveys were distributed with 599 returned by this date representing a return rate of 42%.
Some surveys were not fully completed therefore the results are shown for the total answers to each question.
5 5. RESULTS
Section 1
Listed below are the results of each question asked by the housing needs survey.
Question 1. How would you describe your home? ∗
355 House 1 Flat/maisonette/bedsit 0 Sheltered/retirement housing* 219 Bungalow 0 Caravan/mobile home/temporary structure 3 Other
Other Caravan/mobile home/temporary structure Bungalow Sheltered/retirement housing* Flat/maisonette/bedsit House
0 200 Frequency
Question 2. How many bedrooms does your current home have?
3 1 117 2 341 3 115 4 8 5+
300 250
ncy 200
que 150 e r F 100 50 0 1 2 3 4 5+
∗ Retirement housing includes Extra Care Accommodation which consists of purpose built accommodation in which varying amounts of care and support can be offered, and where some facilities are shared
6 Question 3. Who owns your home?
374 Owned outright by a household member(s) 179 Owned with mortgage by a household member(s) 1 Rented from a Housing Association 1 Tied to a job 1 Shared ownership (part owned/part rented) 0 Rented from the local council 12 Rented from a private landlord 2 Other
Other Rented from a private landlord Rented from the local council Shared ownership (part owned/part rented) Tied to a job Rented from a Housing Association Owned with mortgage by a household member(s) Owned outright by a household member(s) 0 100 200 300 Frequency
97% of respondents who answered the question are owner occupiers; 66% own their homes outright and 31% have a mortgage.
Question 4. How many years have you lived in Istead Rise?
22 less than 1 year 58 1 5 years 66 6 10 years 59 11 15 years 97 16 25 years 286 26+ years
26+ years
16 25 years
11 15 years
6 10 years
1 5 years
less than 1 year
0 50 100 150 200 250 Frequency
442 respondents (74%) have lived in Istead Rise for over 10 years.
7 Question 5. Have any of your children/parents/brothers/sisters moved away from Istead Rise in the last 5 years, due to difficulties in finding a suitable home locally?
39 Yes 541 No
500 450 400 350 ncy 300
que 250 e
r 200 F 150 100 50 0 Yes No
Question 6. Depending on location, would you be in favour of a small development of affordable housing for people from Istead Rise if there is a proven need?
111 Yes 460 No 450 400 350 300 ncy 250
que 200 e r
F 150 100 50 0 Yes No
81% of respondents who answered the question (77% of all respondents) would not be in favour of a small development of affordable housing for people from Istead Rise.
Question 7. Please provide any further comments that you would like to make
There were 364 responses to this question; a full list of comments can be found in Appendix IR1.
8 Question 8. Do you or a member of your household need separate or alternative accommodation either now or in the next 3 years?
9 Yes , now 17 Yes, next 3 years 565 No
500
y 400 nc 300 que e
r 200 F
100
0 Yes , now Yes, next 3 years No
26 respondents (5%) said they have a housing need either now or in the next 3 years.
9 Section 2 – Housing Needs
Question 9. Are you completing this form for someone else?
17 Self 8 Someone else
16 14 12 y
nc 10 8 eque r
F 6 4 2 0 Self Someone else
Question 10. If you are completing this form for someone else please state their relationship to you and where they currently live e.g. with parents, private renting etc.
Respondents who were completing the form for someone else were doing so for their adult children who were still living in the parental home.
Question 11. Do you currently live in Istead Rise?
25 Yes 1 No 25
20
ncy 15 que
e 10 r F
5
0 Yes No
10 Question 12. What is your connection with Istead Rise? Respondents were asked to indicate all connections that applied to them.
Local connection FREQUENCY Currently live in Istead Rise and have done so continuously for the 18 last 10 years Currently live in Istead Rise and have done so continuously for the 4 last 5 years Do not currently live in Istead Rise but have previously lived there 2 for 5 out of the last 10 years Do not currently live in Istead Rise but have close family who 2 currently live there and have done so continuously for the last 10 years Do not currently live in Istead Rise but have previously lived there 1 continuously for at least 10 years and, in my opinion, was forced to move away due to a lack of suitable accommodation
Question 13. What is your current housing situation?
8 Owner occupier with/without mortgage 10 Living with relatives 0 Renting from council 1 Shared ownership/new build homebuy 0 Renting from Housing Association 0 Tied tenancy 6 Renting privately 0 Other
Other Renting privately Tied tenancy Renting from Housing Association Shared ownership/new build homebuy Renting from council Living with relatives Owner occupier with/without mortgage 0 2 4 6 8 10 Frequency
Question 14. How many bedrooms do you have in your current home?
0 1 4 2 13 3 7 4 2 5+
12
10 y
c 8 n e u
q 6 re
F 4
2
0 1 2 3 4 5+
11 Question 15. Are you registered on the Council’s Housing Register?
3 Yes 22 No 22 20 18 16 y 14 nc 12
que 10 e
r 8 F 6 4 2 0 Yes No
Question 16. Which of the following options would be most suitable for you in alternative accommodation?∗
5 Rent from council/housing association* 8 New build homebuy ** 3 Rent from a private landlord 9 Owner occupation 0 Other (please specify)
Other (please specify)
Owner occupation
Rent from a private landlord
New build homebuy **
Rent from council/housing association*
0 2 4 6 8 Frequency
Question 17. Do you have any comments on the above options?
The following comments were made: • I would like one/two bed bungalow/ground floor flat with access to outside. • Would prefer to live nearer work. Bexley x 1. Hammersmith x 1. • Would like a low priced starter home. • Home suitable for blind person. • Would never consider buying a newbuild on a development primarily because of the social housing content. • Preference for owner occupation if low priced. • My daughter private rents in Gravesend – she has three under 5s in one bedroom. • Need bungalow on flat site due to disability.
* To be considered for this type of accommodation, you need to be registered on Gravesham Borough Council’s Housing Register. Tel: 01474 564422
** Government scheme which enables people to buy a share in a newly built property (also known as shared ownership)
12 • There is a need for sheltered/gated private accommodation for the elderly. • Live with my sister, her partner and child, so would eventually like to set up on my own, but not far due to elderly parents being in Istead Rise.
Question 18. What type of accommodation would meet your needs? ∗
14 House 9 Flat/maisonette 11 Bungalow 4 Sheltered/retirement housing* 0 Other
Other
Sheltered/retirement housing*
Bungalow
Flat/maisonette
House
0 5 10 Frequency
Question 19. Do you have any specific requirements?
4 Yes 22 No 22 20 18 16 14 ncy 12
que 10 e
r 8 F 6 4 2 0 Yes No
Question 20. If you answered ‘Yes’ to Question 19, please give details
Two respondents who answered ‘Yes’ to Question 19 said they have the following requirements: • Wife registered blind. I retired early to take care of her. • Need for ground floor or lifts to accommodation.
∗ Retirement Housing includes Extra Care Accommodation which offers independent living in a home of your choice with other services on hand if you need or want them.
13 Question 21. Why do you need to move from your current home and what do you need in a new home?
Other
Need to be close to a carer or dependent, to give or receive support
Need for better access to public transport
Need to be nearer work
Need to set up independent home
Need larger home
Need physicallyadapted home
Need to change tenure
Present home too expensive inc. major repairs and maintenance costs
Need smaller home
0 5 10 Frequency
The respondents who answered ‘Other’ gave the following reasons for needing to move: • 2 x divorce. • Can’t afford private rent. • Living with relative at the moment.
Question 22. Please indicate the number of people in each age group (male or female) needing to move
AGE 0 9 10 15 16 19 20 24 25 44 45 59 60 74 75+ Male 1 3 2 7 5 6 4 1 Female 2 1 1 5 3 0 0 2 Total 3 4 3 12 8 6 4 3
Question 23. What type of household will the new household become?
8 Oneperson household 2 Loneparent family 3 Twoparent family 12 Couple 0 Other
Other
Couple Twoparent family Loneparent family
Oneperson household
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Frequency
14 Question 24. Please indicate the total gross annual income of the household in housing need
More than £70,000 £60,000 £70,000 £50,000 £60,000 £40,000 £50,000 £30,000 £40,000 £20,000 £30,000 £10,000 £20,000 (£190£380 pw) Under £10,000 (less than £190 pw)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Frequency
15 6. LOCAL HOUSING COSTS
To fully assess local housing need it is important to look at open market prices in the private sector of houses both to rent and buy.
Property for sale
Searches of www.rightmove.co.uk which markets property for a number of leading local estate agents, in June 2012, showed the following cheapest properties for sale in Istead Rise. No 1 bed properties were found.
Type of Property Number of Price Bedrooms £ Semi detached bungalow 2 190 000 Semi detached bungalow 2 219 995 Semi detached house 3 225 000 Semi detached house 3 230 000 Detached bungalow 4 235 000 Detached house 4 240 000
Property to rent
A similar search for rental property found only the following three properties to rent; no 1 bed properties were found:
Type of Property Number of Price £pcm. Bedrooms Semi detached bungalow 2 875 Semi detached house 3 950 Detached house 6 1950
Household income required to afford current market prices
Using local information, the table below shows gross income level needed to purchase a property in the area. The figures are calculated assuming a 15% deposit and using 3.5 x gross income. Monthly repayment is based on a 2 year fixed rate with HSBC at 4.99% (June 2012) 25 year mortgage term and is calculated using HSBC’s mortgage calculator.
It should be noted that in the current economic climate lenders have made the borrowing criteria for potential mortgagees far stricter by requiring at least a 15% deposit, making securing a mortgage difficult for some first time buyers, especially those on lower incomes.
Type of Property Price £ Deposit Gross Income Monthly Repayment (15%) Level 2 bed semi detached 190 000 28 500 46 143 943 bungalow 2 bed semi detached 219 995 32 999 53 427 1092 bungalow 3 bed semi detached house 225 000 33 750 54 643 1117 3 bed semi detached house 230 000 34 500 55 857 1142 4 bed detached bungalow 235 000 35 250 57 071 1167 4 bed detached house 240 000 36 000 48 286 1191
16 To gauge the income level required to afford to rent privately, Government guidance states that a household can be considered able to afford market house renting in cases where rent payable was up to 25% of their gross household income (DCLG Strategic Housing Market Assessment Guide 2007)
Type of Property Price Approx. Gross Annual £ pcm income £ 2 bed semi detached bungalow 875 42 000 3 bed semi detached house 950 45 600 6 bed detached house 1950 93 600
Using HM Land Registry data on house sales (www.mouseprice.com) using postcode area DA13 which lies within or includes part of the following towns, counties, localities, electoral wards and stations: Cobham, Downs, Gravesend, Hartley and Hodsoll Street, Istead Rise, Kent, Longfield, New Barn and Southfleet, Luddesdown, Meopham, Meopham North, Meopham South and Vigo, Northfleet Green, Shorne, Cobham and Luddesdown, Snodland West, Sole Street, South Street, Southfleet, Vigo, Woodlands, the average house prices in the last 3 months are
1 bed properties £159,500 2 bed properties £254,100 3 bed properties £285,500 4 bed properties £410,700 5+ bed properties £494,700
To afford the average cost of a 1 bed property using the mortgage calculation previously shown, a salary of £38,736 would be required. To afford the average cost of a 2 bed property a salary of £61,700 would be required.
Information provided by ‘mouseprice’ states that the average property in the DA13 area costs £304,900 with average earnings being £27,037. This means that the average property costs over 11 times more than the average salary. The source used by ‘mouseprice’ to assess price to earnings ratio is Calnea Analytics proprietary price data and earnings data – updated quarterly.
Affordable Rent
The Government has introduced changes relating to rents charged to new tenants of social housing from April 2011. Affordable Rent properties allow landlords to set rents anywhere between current social rent levels and up to 80% of local market rents. It is expected that Housing Benefit will support those on a lower income who are unable to pay Affordable Rents although this is not guaranteed.
As there were only 3 properties advertised to rent in Istead Rise, figures are calculated taking the private sector average monthly rent found in nearby Meopham into consideration.
Size of Property Open Market Rent Levels Affordable Rent Levels £pcm £pcm 1 bed 600 480 2 bed 794 635 3 bed 1165 932 4 bed 1895 1516
17 The table below shows income needed to afford the affordable rent levels using 25% of gross income as the indicator of what is affordable.
Property Price Gross annual £ pcm Income £ 1 bed 480 23 040 2 bed 635 30 480 3 bed 932 44 736 4 bed 1516 72 768
Shared ownership
To give an indication of respondents’ ability to afford shared ownership, levels of income and rent/mortgage have been taken into consideration on purchasing a 40% and 70% share of a property with estimated values of £122,500 for a 1 bed property, £168,000 for a 2 bed property and £207,000 for a 3 bed property. These values take into consideration average prices found in Istead Rise and nearby Meopham. Affordability is calculated using Moat’s mortgage and rent calculator http://homebuyoptions.co.uk/calculator/index.html and are approximate.
Calculations are made assuming a 10% deposit of mortgage share.
Property Share Deposit Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Gross price £ Required mortgage rent £ Service total £ Income £ £ charge required 122 500 40% 4 900 263 172 80 515 17 585 122 500 70% 8 595 462 86 80 628 26 056 168 000 40% 6 720 357 234 80 671 22 735 168 000 70% 11 760 626 117 80 823 34 255 207 000 40% 8 280 430 282 80 792 26 780 207 000 70% 14 490 743 141 80 975 40 632
18 7. ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING NEED
Assessment of the 9 households seeking housing now
Five respondents were excluded from this final assessment for the following reasons: • 1 x owner occupier who wanted sheltered/retirement housing to buy on the open market only • 1 x owner occupier who did not answer Q16 which asks what type of tenure would be most suitable for them • 1 x respondent currently living with relatives who only wants to buy on the open market • 1 x private tenant who wants smaller and cheaper accommodation to rent privately only • 1 x incorrectly completed form; unable to make an assessment of housing need
The 4 households in need of affordable housing now are – • 1 couple • 3 families
Couples – there was 1 couple
Age Frequency 2024 1 2544 1
Current housing:
Current Housing Frequency Living with relatives 1
Current number of bedrooms:
No of bedrooms Frequency 4 1
Tenure best suited:
Tenure Frequency New build homebuy 1
Type of housing needed:
Type of housing Frequency House 1
Specific requirements:
Requirement Frequency None
Reason for seeking new home:
Reason Frequency Need to set up independent 1 home
19 Household’s joint gross annual income:
Income Frequency £20,000 £30,00 1
The respondent indicated at least one of the local connection criteria. They currently live in Istead Rise.
The respondent is not currently registered on Gravesham Borough Council’s Housing Register.
The following table shows the respondent’s ability to afford the various forms of tenure available; private rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and open market.
It should be noted that actual affordability of open market purchase depends on the ability to pay at least a 15% deposit and other finances necessary to buy a home. Actual affordability of shared ownership also depends on having the necessary finances.
Shared ownership has only been assessed where a desire for it has been indicated.
Income Number of Affordable Private Shared Open respondents rent rent ownership market £20,000 1 1 0 1 x 40% 0 £30,000 share 2 bed
Families there were three families
Ages
Adult Adult Child Child Child Child Child Age Age Age Age Age Age Age Family 1 4559 1015 1015 Family 2 2024 09 09 09 Family 3 4559 2544 2024 2024 1619 1619 1015
Current housing:
Current Housing Frequency Owner occupier 1 Renting privately 2
The above owner occupier wants newbuild homebuy due to needing to set up an independent home following divorce.
Current number of bedrooms:
No of bedrooms Frequency 2 1 3 2
20 Tenure best suited:
Tenure Frequency New build homebuy 1 Rent from council/housing 2 association
Type of housing needed:
Type of housing Frequency House 2 House/flat/maisonette/ 1 bungalow
Specific requirements:
Requirement Frequency None
Reason for seeking new home:
Reason Frequency Need to set up independent 2 home Need larger home 1 Other (divorce and can’t afford 2 private rent)
Household’s joint gross annual income:
Income Frequency Under £10,000 1 £10,000 £20,000 1 £30,000 £40,000 1
The respondents indicated at least one of the local connection criteria. Two currently live in Istead Rise and one does not but has close family living there who have done so for the last 10 years.
Two respondents are currently registered on Gravesham Borough Council’s Housing Register.
The following table shows the respondents’ ability to afford the various forms of tenure available; private rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and open market.
It should be noted that actual affordability of open market purchase depends on the ability to pay at least a 15% deposit and other finances necessary to buy a home. Actual affordability of shared ownership also depends on having the necessary finances.
21 Shared ownership has only been assessed where a desire for it has been indicated.
Income Number of Affordable Private Shared Open respondents rent rent ownership market Under 1 0 0 0 0 £10,000 £10,000 1 0 0 0 0 £20,000 £30,000 1 0 0 Not wanted 0 £40,000
Assessment of the 17 households seeking housing in the next 3 years
Thirteen respondents were excluded from this final assessment for the following reasons: • 1 x couple living with relatives who only want to rent privately • 2 x couples living with relatives who only want to buy on the open market • 2 x owner occupiers who require more suitable housing for their needs on the open market only • 1 x owner occupier who requires shelter/retirement housing on the open market only • 1 x owner occupier with a 4 bedroom property who wants to rent from the council/housing association; as they may have equity in their home they may not be eligible for affordable housing • 1 x owner occupier who wants to move to be nearer work but only wants to buy on the open market • 1 x single person living with relatives who wants to rent privately only • 1 x owner occupier who wants to buy a bungalow on the open market • 1 x respondent with shared ownership tenure who wants alternative new build homebuy but did not give enough information to make an assessment of their need • 1 x did not want to stay in Istead Rise • 1 x couple who were renting privately and wanted to rent from a housing association/council but had an income of £50,000 £60,000 so would not be eligible for this form of tenure
The 4 households in need of affordable housing in the next 3 years are – • 3 single people • 1 family
Single people – there were 3 single people
Age Frequency 2024 2 2544 1
Current housing:
Current Housing Frequency Living with relatives 3
Current number of bedrooms:
No of bedrooms Frequency 3 2 4 1
22 Tenure best suited:
Tenure Frequency Rent from council/housing 1 association New build homebuy 2
Type of housing needed:
Type of housing Frequency Flat/maisonette 2 House/bungalow 1
Specific requirements:
Requirement Frequency None
Reason for seeking new home:
Reason Frequency Need to set up independent 3 home Need larger home 1
Household’s joint gross annual income:
Income Frequency £10,000 £20,000 2 £20,000 £30,000 1
The respondents indicated at least one of the local connection criteria. They all currently live in Istead Rise.
None of the respondents are currently registered on Gravesham Borough Council’s Housing Register.
The following table shows the respondents’ ability to afford the various forms of tenure available; private rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and open market.
It should be noted that actual affordability of open market purchase depends on the ability to pay at least a 15% deposit and other finances necessary to buy a home. Actual affordability of shared ownership also depends on having the necessary finances.
Shared ownership has only been assessed where a desire for it has been indicated.
Income Number of Affordable Private Shared Open respondents rent rent ownership market £10,000 2 0 0 1 x 40% 0 £20,000 share 1 bed £20,000 1 1 0 1 x 40% 0 £30,000 share 2 bed
23 Families there was one family
Ages
Adult Adult Child Child Child Child Age Age Age Age Age Age Family 1 4559 4559 1619 1015
Current housing:
Current Housing Frequency Private renting 1
Current number of bedrooms:
No of bedrooms Frequency 4 1
Tenure best suited:
Tenure Frequency New build homebuy/rent from 1 council/housing association
Type of housing needed:
Type of housing Frequency House 1
Specific requirements:
Requirement Frequency None
Reason for seeking new home:
Reason Frequency Present home too expensive 1
Household’s joint gross annual income:
Income Frequency £50,000£60,000 1
The respondents indicated at least one of the local connection criteria. They currently live in Istead Rise.
They are not currently registered on Gravesham Borough Council’s Housing Register.
The following table shows the respondents’ ability to afford the various forms of tenure available; private rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and open market.
24 It should be noted that actual affordability of open market purchase depends on the ability to pay at least a 15% deposit and other finances necessary to buy a home. Actual affordability of shared ownership also depends on having the necessary finances.
Shared ownership has only been assessed where a desire for it has been indicated.
Income Number of Affordable Private Shared Open respondents rent rent ownership market £50,000 1 1 1 70% share 0 £60,000 3 bed
25 8. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The Housing Needs Survey has found a need for up to 8 homes for local people who are in need of affordable housing; they are 3 single people, 1 couple and 4 families.
4 of the households need housing now and 4 in the next 3 years.
The 8 respondents who are in need of affordable housing indicated strong local connections to Istead Rise; 7 currently live there and 1 used to live there and currently has close family members living there.
There are a total of 13 adults and 10 children in housing need.
4 respondents are currently living with relatives, 3 are renting privately and 1 is an owner occupier who needs affordable housing due to divorce and is therefore included in the assessment for affordable housing.
4 respondents said the type of accommodation that would meet their needs was a house, 2 said a flat/maisonette and 2 said a house/flat/maisonette or bungalow.
6 respondents said they need to move from their current home because they need to set up an independent home, 2 respondents said they need a larger home, 1 said their present home is too expensive and 2 respondents gave ‘Other’ reasons; ‘divorce’ and ‘can’t afford private rent’. Respondents were able to indicate more than one option for needing to move.
In total, 5 respondents indicated an interest in new build homebuy. 4 of these households indicated the ability to afford a 40% or 70% share of the size of property they require (1 x 1 bed, 2 x 2 bed and 1 x 3 bed). More detailed analysis of their income, amount of deposit they have available and actual cost of the shared ownership property would be required to confirm affordability.
26 APPENDIX IR2 – Letter to householder and housing needs survey
Housing Strategy and Development Services Ask for: Sharon Donald Telephone: 01474 337652 Fax: Email: [email protected] My ref: sd Your ref: Date: June 2012
Dear Householder
Owing to the high cost of housing in this area, the Council is considering whether there might be a need for additional affordable housing in Istead Rise, so that residents who cannot afford to buy or rent locally will not be forced to move away. Affordable housing means homes that can be rented or part bought (shared ownership) from a Housing Association. The reason for providing new affordable housing is to help local people of all ages who would like to stay or return to their community and contribute to the services that still exist.
The enclosed Housing Needs Survey is being sent out on behalf of the Council by Action with Communities in Rural Kent (ACRK) to assess the demand and gauge the level of support a small scheme might have in your community. The survey will be analysed by a Rural Housing Enabler from ACRK, with all information being kept confidential. The Rural Housing Enabler will then provide a summary report to the Istead Rise Community Association and Borough Council.
Depending on the outcome of this survey, the Council and ACRK may try to find a suitable site within Istead Rise. If a site is found a consultation event will be held so that residents can view and discuss the proposals and put their views forward.
This is a very important issue, so please take time to fill in this survey. Even if no one in your household has a housing need, we want to know your views.
Please return this form using the FREEPOST envelope provided by 20 th June 2012.
If any further information or additional questionnaires are required please contact the Rural Housing Enabler on 01303 813790.
More information is available on housing needs surveys in Gravesham via the following link http://www.gravesham.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=5624. Alternatively if you want more information on how ACRK enables rural housing, please use the following link http://www.ruralkent.org.uk/ourwork/ruralhousing.htm
Yours faithfully Sharon Donald Housing Strategy and Development Manager
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