@contradevian Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Only 329 'affordable homes' built in Wales. Rest must be unaffordable then http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/number-affordable-homes-being-built-6246209 The number of affordable homes being built in Cardiff has plunged by more than a fifth in a year - with even less planned for next year, according to new figures.Statistics revealed by the Welsh Government on the number of affordable homes showed it dropped by 21% in 2012-2013 compared to the previous year, with just 329 built. Analysis by WalesOnline also reveals that just 233 affordable homes are planned for 2013-2014, which would represent a further 29% drop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCountOfNowhere Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 How many of those are actually affordable ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@contradevian Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 How many of those are actually affordable ? Probably none of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dweller Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Probably none of them! I live on an estate built in 2008 with a mix of affordable and unaffordable properties. By 2011, with the "affordable" homes still unaffordable for local people (or perhaps most local people did not want to spend £45,000 to live in a bedsit) the developer was allowed to sell the "affordable" homes at unaffordable prices. (I think a few have been bought as buy-to-let). Three properties had to stay "affordable" , two have sold and one the developer rents out . I think the two that sold probably broke the rules in order to be sold. It is worth noting also that the "affordable" homes also come with hugely unaffordable management fees (ground rent etc) far more than that being paid by residents living in the unaffordable properties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slacker Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 There is some land come up for sale locally for building housing - first in a while. The sales headline for it is "only 20% affordable housing" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Thinker Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Not sure if I understand the point of building "affordable*" homes. What is the benefit? What is the argument for not building only high spec, large houses? Wouldn't that help to ensure existing housing stock remains more "affordable*". At least it may avoid building slums of the future. *Just being clear I'm using the housing policy/planning specific meaning, rather than the generally understood dictionary meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Masked Tulip Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Don't worry - the Assembly is spending tens of millions of translating everything into Welsh so it has got it priorities right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slacker Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Not sure if I understand the point of building "affordable*" homes. Round here it's a big issue - and I'm sure we're not alone. The London boomer exodus sucks up any property with more than 2 bedrooms (retirees downsizing from London need 3 or 4 at least). Posted yesterday, but worth repeating, 70s 3-bed bungalow in village sold recently for 20x local avg earnings, just down the road is a local guy with a property maintenance business, with employees, paying real tax, who is having to live in a mobile home. Developers should be building 60% affordable and they should have covenants that they can only be resold to local workers. The problem is the retirees don't really need any local services, don't need schools, don't need shops as use Tesco/Waitrose delivery etc. and they didn't need public transport to commute so much so it's all been cut. So local wages get even lower as unemployment is higher than it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Thinker Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Round here it's a big issue - and I'm sure we're not alone. The London boomer exodus sucks up any property with more than 2 bedrooms (retirees downsizing from London need 3 or 4 at least). Posted yesterday, but worth repeating, 70s 3-bed bungalow in village sold recently for 20x local avg earnings, just down the road is a local guy with a property maintenance business, with employees, paying real tax, who is having to live in a mobile home. Developers should be building 60% affordable and they should have covenants that they can only be resold to local workers. The problem is the retirees don't really need any local services, don't need schools, don't need shops as use Tesco/Waitrose delivery etc. and they didn't need public transport to commute so much so it's all been cut. So local wages get even lower as unemployment is higher than it should be. Low price (I'll use that term, rather than affordable as that's been hijacked) housing is a massive issue where I live as well. But when new "affordable" flats or houses are built in developments they are far from low price. My point is that perhaps people from London/other wealthy buyers will purchase the large, high spec, desirable houses in the new developments, rather than buying up the existing housing stock. Thereby leaving that existing stock for local buyers. I'm not sure at all what the answer is. I only know that I have yet to see one of these "affordable" houses that any local first time buyers, even a good local wage (although locals working in London may be a different story), would be able to buy without significant assistance. So why bother? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slacker Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I hadn't made the connection before - but this thread has just reminded me - where we last rented (nearer the coast) - the two houses next to us were built as small affordable local property they were bought by: 1) A retiree who BTL'd it to a travelling salesman 2) A hedge fund exec from home counties who used it as a holiday home very occasionally The toilet drains used to block all the time as they were not in use constantly enough (Dynorod said it was a common issue where there is lots of holiday lets) - bought my own rods in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomberbrown Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 There's none 'affordable' in this development aimed at foreign investors. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/advert-for-new-stratford-homes-sparks-no-riff-raff-row-8826336.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHERWICK Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Don't worry - the Assembly is spending tens of millions of translating everything into Welsh so it has got it priorities right. Everything that's ever been written? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olebrum Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 How many of those are actually affordable ? If you're getting your wedge from the BoE at 0% then it's all affordable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemichromis Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I think the definition of 'affordable housing' needs to be changed. near cambridge where i live an affordable house is a 370000 2 bedroom house with help to buy. in wales 370000 would buy you a mansion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Masked Tulip Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Everything that's ever been written? No, everything that has ever been thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattW Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I'm on the housing register for 'affordable' rented flats. One of the 2 bedroomed flats owned by a housing association that I can bid on is £122 a month. This is about the same as some private rented flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomberbrown Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 1382993827[/url]' post='909420342']I'm on the housing register for 'affordable' rented flats. One of the 2 bedroomed flats owned by a housing association that I can bid on is £122 a month. This is about the same as some private rented flats. Surely you mean £122 a week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@contradevian Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 I'm on the housing register for 'affordable' rented flats. One of the 2 bedroomed flats owned by a housing association that I can bid on is £122 a month. This is about the same as some private rented flats. £122 a week? Are you a couple if looking to bid on two bed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattW Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 (edited) Surely you mean £122 a week? Oops! Yes I meant £122 a week. Putting in overtime makes tires my brain in the evenings. £122 a week? Are you a couple if looking to bid on two bed? No, just as a single applicant. In my local authority I can bid on some 2 bedders so long as they aren't on the ground floor. I assume these are in areas less popular with families. Sorry to the Welsh members, digressing a little from the OP. I'm appalled that so few 'cheap rented' homes (for want of a better phrase) have been built in Wales. Edited October 29, 2013 by MattW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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