People must have somewhere to live

Nov 20 2007 by Ian Sim for the Evening Gazette

OVER the past few weeks it has been difficult to read a newspaper or watch a television news bulletin without being reminded of the major task facing organisations like Coast and Country.

In one of his first speeches as the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said he wanted three million new homes by 2020.

Then the Office of National Statistics predicted that the UK’s population will increase by 4.4 million by 2016 and reach a staggering 70 million by 2031.

While the politicians have been arguing over the numbers of immigrants boosting these numbers, there is one unavoidable consequence: whether they are born here or move here they have to have somewhere to live.

It is a unique characteristic of this country that success is measured in the acquisition of bricks and mortar.

Landmark events such as your first home or paying off your mortgage are almost treated on a par with coming of age or retirement.

The rise in interest rates or a fall in house prices are reported as if they are national tragedies.

Television is full of programmes about moving to the country, moving abroad or moving up the housing ladder.

Even when you move “upstairs” the home you leave to your loved ones is subject to one of this year’s hottest political issues, inheritance tax.

Faced with this national pre-occupation it is no wonder our children dream of home ownership.

Perversely, though, it has never been tougher.

Although there are signs that the housing market is slowing down, in Redcar and Cleveland - for example – would-be homeowners are told their initial mortgage payments could be about eight times their salary.

It must be tempting to despair, give up or live with your parents.

There are signs of hope, though.

Gordon Brown has fired the starting gun on the biggest house building programme since the war.

Through Coast and Country Housing’s new strategy, Passionate about our Place, tens of millions of pounds are being spent on new properties and regeneration schemes.

Poorly designed estates will be transformed.

The quality of homes for people who want to rent will be higher.

In addition we are confident we and our partners are addressing some of the serious social problems which have blighted certain areas.

For the first time Coast and Country is able to offer homes for shared ownership – through our Times4 brand – which will provide local people, including our tenants and key workers (like nurses and teachers), the opportunity to initially take out a mortgage on a quarter or half of a property and rent the rest.

I really welcome the news that thousands of jobs are on their way to Teesside with the construction and operation of the new crude oil processing plant at Wilton.

Let’s hope these new workers and their families choose to live on Teesside.

It is up to organisations like us to make that an attractive and affordable option.

Ian Sim is chief executive of Redcar-based Coast and Country Housing.