Post Covid, more needs to be done to support younger people. As the Guardian reports “The Covid generation faces a “dark age” of entrenched low social mobility, according to a report on the unprecedented economic and educational shocks of the pandemic. The pandemic will damage the life prospects of all Britons aged under 25, regardless…
For all the young people working to keep this country going… who are we to say no to the chance of a home of their own when this is over? Put yourself in the shoes of someone in their late twenties to mid-thirties. In a £26,000 job, in London. You are still living at home….
It is good to see that the construction industry is straining at the bit to begin the huge task of building the homes we need. Before we hit the go button, we should take a moment and envisage what kind of world we should be building. Do we keep doing what we always have? Or…
As housing providers we must support all of our essential workers for the heroic work they are doing not just in this crisis but at all times. It should be more than a thank you, it should be something that is done as a matter of course, today, tomorrow and onwards. We need to provide…
The report by the Urban Land Institute “Promoting Housing Affordability” supports Mix Developments initiative to deliver affordable intermediate homes. We need public bodies to work with us to unlock the opportunities. Getting onto the housing ladder is difficult enough for anybody. But, with a current average UK salary of around £28,000 (ONS), younger people cannot…
If it was tough for the under-35s to get secure housing before this pandemic, just how hard will be it for them afterwards? They will be the ones paying back the economy for years to come. We must change housing policy now to ensure they have a fairer future. Younger people are on the frontline…
First time buyers will be given a discount of 30% under the governments proposed First Homes consultation paper. This will do little to help those people who are the targets for this housing. The average price of a 1-bed flat in London is in excess of £420,000 according to Foxtons. Using the Mayor for London’s…
Rent and mortgage advice update for leaseholders, tenants and landlords – the Government has updated its advice for people having difficulties paying rent, mortgages and shared ownership costs. They rightly suggest a pragmatic approach and urge people to be mindful of each other’s circumstances and begin early discussion. For more information, please read the documents…
If people are facing difficulties they should speak to their mortgage companies or landlords. It s important to agree what to do in light of the pandemic, the government’s announcements and their own employment and financial circumstances. Payment holidays will be offered to Help-to-Buy homeowners. There is also support for renters and homeowners during the…
Mix has secured the Chiswick High Road site from the GLA’s Small Sites Program. It will deliver 28 homes, 14 of which will be intermediate affordable flats sold at fixed discounts with no rent on the portion not bought. One home will be sold at a discount of 60%, affordable to someone on a Tier…
New figures from the National Housing Federation show 3.6 million people in England are living in overcrowded homes. A further 2.5 million are caught in housing they can’t move out of – including house-shares, adults living with their parents, or people living with an ex. Rates of home ownership among the under-35s are at less…
Sterling prize, 25 October 2019 Congratulations to Cathy Hawley and Mikhail Riches on their Goldsmith Street scheme winning the 2019 Sterling prize. It is encouraging that an environmentally and socially sustainable housing scheme is being championed. References RIBA 2019 Sterling Prize Cathy Hawley Mikhail Riches