Plymouth is being asked to say Yes to Homes!

In a motion to be debated by full Council on Monday 25 November, Councillor Mark Lowry is warning that the city is facing a housing crisis and asking for support for the Yes to Homes campaign.

Councillor Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance whose portfolio includes housing delivery said: “By supporting the National Housing Federation’s Yes to Homes campaign we show that we are committed in Plymouth to building an increasing number of the right homes, in the right place, at the right price.

“There is cross party support for this work, it is vitally important we create more homes for local people to buy or rent. The city is facing a crisis, we have low wages and high house prices, 10,000 people on the waiting list, the population is growing and the cost of living is going up. People are finding it incredibly difficult to get on the housing ladder. We need to build more affordable homes so, for example, young people can afford to move out of their parents’ houses and live in a flat or house in their own city.”

Councillor Lowry’s motion calls for the Council to support Yes to Homes and asks for a resolution to work with local groups and organisations to explain to communities why more homes must be built and the benefits they can bring.

He said: “We must help everyone in the city to understand the situation we are all in. Blocking housing developments would mean big problems not only for younger people but for everyone as there would be no suitable homes for growing families and older people either.

“We have set ourselves a target of creating 1,000 new homes a year and we’re taking action such as releasing Council land for development. But we need the support of local communities.”

It is hoped the Plymouth Housing Development Partnership will hold special hearings on housing for local people, community groups and businesses.