Cornwall Council’s Post

Five updates about the housing sector you need to know this week ⬇ This week’s update from our Head of Partnerships, Land and Programme, Ian Christmas, includes Shelter’s new ‘Made in Social Housing’ Campaign and new guidance from sector heavyweights on improving the standard of repairs and maintenance services. #UKHousing #SocialHousing #MadeInSocialHousing #Housing

Interesting listening yesterday when holiday letting in #Cornwall was discussed in Parliament via the #rentersrightsbill debate. The Holiday letting industry is going through some astronomical changes - and I am very doubtful the changes will have anything but a negative affect on the housing market. Some key points and ideas I would put forward: • 800 families in emergency accommodation in Cornwall - approx 2000 Council owned properties sitting empty while needing repair (as reported at the Cornwall Council meeting Feb 24, minutes all online and reported on BBC News - the link is on my page somewhere) • Genuine Holiday home owners won’t flip to private long term rental. It is a totally different business to be in, and since the tax laws changed in 2017 it stopped making financial sense for some people to have long term rentals. Investors still need to see a return; especially when properties cost money to run and keep at a good standard. • Running a holiday home (properly) keeps thousands of people in employment in Cornwall (for my business in Falmouth all year round) and the weekly jobs would all be lost if flipped to long term rental. • Why are owners of Student accommodation not paying any council tax? The students are exempt - why are the owners of these properties? Surely if second home owners are paying double, (probably to be triple after looking at the Council minutes) - why aren’t these owners contributing at all when all the services are being used? Holiday let’s pay for their own private commerical waste etc so surely this is not acceptable? • Student housing in Cornwall - particularly Falmouth and Penryn - has significantly impacted housing - and the laughable monstrosity of the Caledonian Modular which was meant to house over 500 students (potentially free up approx 100 + homes) has sat empty since 2019 with protective netting around it for safety reasons of collapse - and owned by a company that’s gone bust - while the University continues to increase its student population. • I am not sure if the 24300 holiday homes in Cornwall include shepherds huts, garden sheds, spare rooms, boats, holiday parks etc - but will research today. It’s incredibly hard to get this data as we don’t have a registration scheme in place which we have been trying to get for years. This scheme would help clarify and work alongside this issues as it would provide actual data on the industry. • Finally (I promise) - you could stop holiday letting tomorrow and you would still have a housing crisis. The houses would sit for sale (as many are as investors don’t know what to do) and people would be out of jobs, unemployment rising, cost of living being increased. The property sales and rental sector in general needs a complete overhaul - starting with new social housing, mortgage and deposit changes, stamp duty revamp - and with Cornwall suffering from low wages high prices - bring in a Band tier system like London for employment.

Have you seen our article on Merton's New Sub-10-Unit Affordable Housing Contributions? Take a look here: https://lnkd.in/eyhE9k53 #Merton #affordablehousing #propertydevelopment #housing #townplanning #viability #planningobligations #S106Management

Interesting webinar, exploring housing cost burden for renters & owners with ACS data happening tomorrow, Aug 8, 2pmET.

"If you just carry on doing what you've always done then you get what you've always got." Jess Steele, Hastings Commons. As this piece shows, people up and down the country feel both the need for housing, but also the impact of mass development on where they live: gentrification, increased house prices, and what their local town looks and feels like. We're ready to work with the next government to enable development that communities want - like Hastings Commons taking derelict buildings to turn them into community hubs and flats that have their rents capped. Read more about our ideas for the next government 👇 https://lnkd.in/ep6ygbsD https://lnkd.in/eZj7rsHp

Looking for senior housing within your means? Whether you prefer independent living, an adult community, or assisted living, solutions are available to fit your budget. Check out the link in the comments and discover how to navigate your options today! #SeniorHousing #IndependentLiving #AssistedLiving #HousingSolutions

Today is #WorldHomelessDay. If you need help or support with a housing issue, our Housing Advice Service can help you. Find out more about the Housing Advice Service and how they can help you: https://lnkd.in/eZpi-GR2

📢 Attention housing seekers! Section 8 waiting lists opening soon! 🏠 Stay tuned to Affordable Housing Hub for the latest updates on upcoming Section 8 waiting list openings in your area. Don't miss your chance at affordable housing opportunities. Set your reminders and get your documents ready. Your path to stable, budget-friendly housing starts here! #Section8 #AffordableHousing #HousingOpportunities #StayInformed

Affordable housing is a right, not a privilege. 🏠 #AffordableHousing #JimForChange #HousingForAll #AccessibleHousing #HomeForEveryone #HousingRights #SupportHousing #CommunityHousing #AffordableLiving #HousingSolutions

🏠 Housing crisis solutions start with #CommunityLandTrusts (CLT). Affordable, community-led, and built to last—CLTs are the future of housing in Australia. 🌱 Let’s make housing a right, not a privilege ‼️ #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #Grounded #Australia