North Norfolk has an affordable housing problem. There are over 70 households, 190 Ukrainians and refugees all in need of social housing or private rental accommodation. With limited existing housing stocks, the council faces the complex task of identifying funding, making financial savings and property acquisition.
Liberal Democrat-controlled North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) are responsible for housing. This March they voted to accept a £1.2m grant from the government to help accommodate refugees – albeit recognising the grant only covers 40% of the costs and carries a strict criteria of who may live in the new homes.
The money will go towards the purchase of 11 affordable homes – 10 for Ukrainian families and one larger property to be used as a bridging home for Afghan refugees. Since acquisition and furnishing the homes will cost £2.6m, NNDC will partner with Victory Homes housing association to provide the additional funding.
Good news for desperate families
“This is good news for many desperate families and augments the work we are doing to help the homeless across North Norfolk,” says Cllr Wendy Fredericks, NNDC Housing and Benefits Portfolio Holder. “I hope that in time these homes will become available as general accommodation.” However, the building and acquisition of affordable homes cannot keep pace with the continual loss of available housing stock due to second homes, holiday lets, private landlords converting properties to holiday lets or landlords selling up in response to interest rate rises or the cost of meeting new legislation.
“With the rising price of land and materials, housing associations are unable to compete with property developers,” Fredericks explains. “We need full investment from the Government to purchase land and build affordable homes for our local workers to live in.”
County Deal
The Government’s County Deal, which has been agreed in principle by Norfolk County Council, could help. If the devolution deal is fully endorsed, Norfolk expects to receive over £600m to deliver more housing as well as jobs and investment.
“The new County Deal gives the County Council new powers and money to kick-start home-building projects,” says County Cllr Ed Maxfield, Leader of the Independent Group. “But people are bound to be sceptical about how high a priority affordable housing will be.”
Recognising that councils are losing council tax money from second home owners due to a tax loophole, the Government is taking action. From April 2023 second homeowners will have to prove their home is being rented out for a minimum of 70 days a year or face penalties. Similarly, holiday let owners will have to provide evidence their property is available to be rented out for 140 days to claim small business rates relief.
“Second home buyers should be curbed”
Councillor Fredericks would also like to see further government controls to stop people buying second homes and holiday lets – that is, at least until they have housed everyone currently in temporary accommodation. “In the meantime, she says, “we keep exploring other avenues to improve housing stocks.”
Many of the empty homes in North Norfolk are a result of prolonged probate applications following the death of the owner, or because rental properties no longer meet newer legally required standards.
NNDC recently appointed an Empty Homes Officer to work with owners and help return properties to the market or to become temporary accommodation the Council may use. Their Energy Officer supports landlords to improve a property’s energy performance to meet the required minimum “E” rating and return it to the rental sector.
Adapting the homes of the elderly
Financial support is available for some small home repairs, mobility and adaption aids. This encourages residents to remain in their homes for longer and helps the Council save money that might otherwise be spent on expensive resident social care.
North Norfolk District Council is not alone in seeking ways to alleviate its housing issue. North Yorkshire County Council will be the first authority in the UK to enforce a 100% mandatory premium on second holiday homes, doubling the council tax paid. This move is expected to act as a disincentive to buying property in the area thus leading to more available housing stock and lower house prices. It is also expected to raise £14m, which will be distributed across local councils in North Yorkshire.
Broader powers for Norfolk
The County Deal proposes that Norfolk County Council may, “through collaborative working”, unlock the barriers to affordable housing delivery, regeneration and wider housing growth. New broad powers could allow the County Council to acquire and dispose of land to build houses, compulsory purchase property, and undertake land assembly – combining two or more adjacent parcels of lands to make one bigger, more viable site. Only time will tell the extent to which this deal, if approved, may ease the challenges of housing the homeless and increasing the number of affordable homes.
If you would like to comment on the County Deal for Norfolk the public consultation is open until 20 March.
If you live in North Norfolk and are threatened with homelessness or about to become homeless, contact North Norfolk District Council Housing Options Team on 01263 513811 or email housing@north-norfolk.gov.uk as early as possible.
North Norfolk hosts 129 Ukrainian adults and 62 children – who all need more permanent homes.
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