Lack of Affordable Housing Stifling Cheshire & Warrington Growth

A study into the lack of affordable housing in Cheshire and Warrington has highlighted the damaging effect this may have on the economy.

The study, which was commissioned by Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance (CWEA) in partnership with the Cheshire Housing Alliance (CHA), involved interviews with 226 employers across the sub region, responsible for 47,504 employees.

The findings show that:

- New business growth in Cheshire and Warrington would be stifled by the lack of an available pool of labour, due to high housing costs;

- Lack of affordable housing is impacting on employers ability to recruit to lower paid jobs;

- Increased housing costs could have an inflationary pressure on wages;

- Businesses may need to look increasingly at attracting employees from outside the area, leading to increased commuting and higher carbon emissions;

- Affordable housing shortages will impact on resident’s quality of life with young adults unable to set up their own homes, or growing families being unable to move to larger family accommodation;

- Housing shortages may also lead to large numbers moving outside the area where housing costs are less;

- Unemployed people are unable to move to take advantage of work opportunities as housing costs are unaffordable;

- There is already an existing shortage of affordable housing and the potential impact on the economy has led to CHA to call for at least a 1,000 new affordable rented homes to be provided in the region.

Martin Lee, Chief Executive of CWEA, says "This report confirms the anecdotal feedback we have received from many employers. We will be addressing the issue of affordable housing with our partners so that our economy can continue to flourish and provide opportunities for everyone who lives here. "

Steve Jennings, Chair of the Cheshire Housing Alliance and Chief Executive of Weaver Vale Housing Trust, says "There is an affordability crisis in Cheshire. This study shows how it impacts on the economy and provides further evidence of the urgent need to balance the housing market in this part of the North West."

For further information contact:

Tina Johnston, External Relations Manager
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance
Tel: 01606 734187; Email: Tina.Johnston@cwea.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Cheshire Housing Alliance

The Cheshire Housing Alliance (CHA) is a partnership between local authorities and housing organisations in the county and has been set up to tackle housing issues in the area. The Alliance is working to:

- Demonstrate the needs of the county, to drive up investment in housing and related services;

- Campaign for funding to provide much needed new affordable homes for rent and sale in towns and villages throughout Cheshire;

- Research, map and plan what homes are needed and where, to ensure the provision of homes for future generations;

- Deliver the outcomes from the Cheshire Sub-regional Housing Strategy;

- Share ideas and experience across the country, to provide the best service possible to customers.

Click here to view the report.