Thank you to all those who completed the Bude-Stratton Housing Survey between July and August this year.
- One of the key findings was the large number of Bude-Stratton residents who are potentially in need of affordable housing, but who are NOT registered with either Homechoice or Help to Buy South.
- Crucially, households are not eligible to bid on affordable homes until they are listed on either of these registers.
- Additionally, the total number of households on these registers at any one time provides vital information regarding the housing situation in Bude-Stratton to decision makers at County level. This can have a real impact on policy direction when it comes to planning matters, so it’s worth signing up even if you feel access to your own affordable house seems a long way off.
The survey was sent to 5,416 households in the parish, and 975 responses were received – a response rate of 18% (which compares to a typical response rate of12-14%). From just these responses, the survey identified 246 respondents who are potentially in need of affordable housing but are not registered with either Homechoice of Help to Buy South.
BSTC also agreed to use the survey in the planning process to evidence the need for smaller units and object to developments of predeminantly large (4-bed) housing units, and to continue to explore the Community Land Trust idea.
You can find out all you need to know about registering with these housing schemes by clicking here: Homechoice Cornwall and Help to Buy South
Further information and contact details for affordable housing in Cornwall can be accessed via the Cornwall Council website HERE
Bude-Stratton Town Council declared a housing emergency in 2021 due to the lack of affordable housing available to its residents. Whilst BSTC is not the statutory housing authority and has no direct powers on the matter, it does seek to use its influence to alleviate the situation.
BSTC worked closely with Cornwall Council in the production of the Bude-Stratton Housing Needs Survey and is continuing to analyse the results. The BSTC Lead Councillor for Housing is Cllr Viki Herbert-Coulson, and you can email her HERE
