SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 55
Providing Homes for All
Introduction
153.
Good housing is essential for social, environmental and economic wellbeing. A broad range
of housing of different types, sizes, values and tenures are required to meet needs and
create and maintain mixed and balanced communities. A well-functioning housing market is
essential for Solihull to meet its full potential as an area which is a good place to live and for
its future economic success.
154.
Solihull provides some of the best housing in the West Midlands, with values consistently
above the regional average. It is a strong attractor of households, given its location,
connectivity, local environment, excellent schools and the strength of the local economy and
employment opportunities.
155.
More housing is needed because of population and household growth. Population is
projected to increase by around 23,369 from 217,047 in 2020 to 240,417 in 2036, an
increase of 10.8%. The number of households is projected to increase by 13.8% over the
period 2020 to 2036 from 91,059 to 103,595.
156.
Meeting housing need does not just mean building additional housing. It is important that the
right type of housing is delivered.
157.
65% of household growth in the period to 2036 is projected to be households aged 65 and
over and single households. It is projected that by 2036 46% of all households will be single
people or couples aged 65 and over.
158.
Affordable housing need is exceptionally high as Solihull has one of the most severe
affordability problems in the West Midlands Region. Mean and median house prices in
Solihull are significantly higher in comparison to regional and national figures. Solihull’s
median price of £275,000 is £85,000 higher than the West Midlands region. Median house
prices in Solihull stand at 8.42 times the median earnings of those working in the Borough.
The shortage of affordable housing is particularly acute in the Mature Suburbs and Rural
areas of the Borough.
159.
There is therefore a need for more market and affordable housing, and also for more
specialist and supported housing. There is a need for more housing that can provide
opportunities for households to ‘downsize’, thereby releasing family housing for resale and
re-letting.
160.
There is a Borough wide shortage of homes which are affordable. The local Borough need is
for both smaller and family-sized affordable rented housing and intermediate tenure homes.
There is also a need for more smaller and lower cost market housing. It is important that
housing of the right type is delivered to meet these needs and the Council will seek to
achieve this through use of a range of approaches, including advice to developers through
the ‘Meeting Housing Needs’ Supplementary Planning Document and how it brings forward
and disposes of its own land.
161.
The provision of new homes must therefore address the needs of all types of household,
including families, single people, older and disabled people and those who want to build their
own home. New homes should be affordable by those who are seeking a first home and
those who wish to move home. There must be increased provision of affordable housing
both for rent and intermediate tenure to meet the growing needs of households which cannot
afford market housing.
162.
The Council aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity of access to a decent and
safe home within a quality living environment, by:
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