"Council is taking positive actions on affordable homes"

The first new council-built homes at Lowfield Green are already occupied. The next shared ownership homes are now offering priority options for key workers.

Two more sites have planning permission, a fourth will go to planning soon and a fifth will start public engagement.

At least 20 per cent of the 600 new homes on eight sites will be for social rent, with a further 20 per cent affordable to buy.

In addition, 20 new homes for council rent will be part of the Castle Mills development; 56 people are buying their own home through a separate shared ownership programme and an additional 42 homes for older people have been built.

The council works with local housing associations and private sector landlords, supports self-builders and secures affordable homes through the planning system.

It also ‘buys back’ former council properties sold under the Government’s very complex Right to Buy rules – the explanation for the three homes Mr Robb refers to.

While there’s no single ‘magic bullet’ to tackle York’s very difficult housing market (Government Right to Buy policies don’t help at all), I’m proud that this council is taking so many positive actions to improve the situation.

Cllr Denise Craghill

Green Party councillor for Guildhall ward

Executive Member for Housing and Safer Communities

Broadway West