One city for all, 2023 to 2027

In York the average cost of houses are at least 10 times average earnings and rents rising 10% over the last year (2021-22).

For many people in York, housing is either unaffordable, or demand for good quality homes outstrips what’s available. Therefore, seeking to accelerate the delivery of all homes and tenure types with partners is an overarching priority.

Affordable homes means less than market value to buy or rent (for example, social housing or shared ownership) or cheaper than average to run. Recognising the challenges vital key workers face, we will continue to work with partners to consider options.

Key statistics

• 85,458 households in York (data source: ONS - 2021 Census TS054), +8,670 by 2032 (data source: York Local Plan).
• 4.5 per 100,000 people sleeping rough for the same period (5.4 Nationally and 3.1 Regionally).
• 7,404 social houses (data source: York Open Data, social housing asset value); 1,209 households on the housing waiting list (data source: York Open Data, HOU107).
• Average house prices are 10.9 times the average salary; York is one of the 15 least affordable cities in the UK (data source: Centre for Cities – City by city).
• 20.0% private rentals in York, 20.3% private rentals nationally (data source: ONS - 2021 Census TS054).

What we will do

1. Use our powers to set the standards for future homes and business premises:
   1. Adopt the Local Plan, sharing how the Local Plan sets out a vision for York’s spatial areas, to take a robust approach to supporting the city’s health infrastructure leading to a good range of local services, workspaces, facilities, low traffic walking and cycling routes, new communities, additional schools, roads and supporting infrastructure to support the anticipated increased number of residents.
   2. Adopt a range of Supporting Planning Documents including climate change and housing, to reduce carbon emissions associated with new developments.
   3. Implement new legislation (once granted by government) to influence the short term let market.
2. Create more affordable, sustainable, appropriate housing options:
   1. Refresh the Housing Strategy with a focus on affordability and prioritising housing needs and reviewing options for the traveller community.
   2. Explore funding options to consider how best achieve 100% affordable Passivhaus standard housing, including working with the new Mayoral Combined Authority to unlock funding, whilst delivering the schemes set out in the Housing Delivery Programme (Shape Homes York).
   3. Deliver a Housing Summit to co-design an action plan with partners, Office of the Public Estate, and Housing Associations to go above policy for affordable rented homes and the housing mix and tenure types the city needs.
   4. Seek further opportunities to expand the council’s Home Share Scheme, aiming to encourage more long-term homeowners to share their premises with those starting out.
   5. Review the issues of affordability and how it affects the city in terms of service/ employment, considering potential actions to address future homes standards identified in the Local Plan.
3. Improve the sustainability and condition of current housing and commercial premises:
   1. Review the council’s Housing Asset Management Programme to improve the quality of current social housing and to accelerate progress towards our net zero commitment.
   2. Move towards decarbonising all of our council housing, favouring the installation of heat pumps and solar panels and the phasing out gas boilers.
   3. Develop a one-stop-shop Retrofit Plan that supports householders overcome barriers to installation, working with suppliers and the council to build skills through a green skills plan.

Key performance indicators

Council delivery:

• Proportion of respondents who report that they are satisfied that their home is well maintained
• % of dwellings failing to meet the decent homes standard (Council Stock)
• % of properties with good to poor efficiency on roof, walls, windows and flooring
• Number of City of York Council Voids
• % of Repairs completed on first visit (First Time Fixes)

City outcomes:

• Energy Efficiency % or properties EPC Grade C and above
• Housing of Multiple Occupation as % of properties in York
• Net Housing Consents
• Net additional homes provided
• Number of new affordable homes delivered in York
• Number of people sleeping rough - local data
• Number of homeless households with dependent children in temporary accommodation