Challenges and opportunities face the West Midlands housing market, with a need to accelerate the supply of affordable housing and address increased competition for land.
Hosting in partnership with calfordseaden, The Housing Forum welcomed leaders from across the housing supply chain to Birmingham for a discussion aimed at assessing the challenges and opportunities facing the West Midlands housing market.
There has been a growth in demand for housing in the West Midlands, much of it driven by the successful local economy, as well as inward and international investment.
Although house price growth has been predominantly flat across the UK, the West Midlands is generally bucking the trend – with prices showing an annual increase of 6% in some areas. Rental demand is also very strong.
Homes England are taking steps to support housing development, such as de-risking sites in advance of their delivery to market and taking a more interventionist approach to get things moving.
The Forum felt that, in a fluctuating economy, there are good opportunities for housing associations offering a wide tenure portfolio. It was acknowledged that housing associations tend to take on the more ‘difficult’ sites, but members put forward the view that this makes the market stronger as a consequence, particularly if the industry shares knowledge and exchanges insights.
Share News Article
Date:
Contributors:
Paul Miller, Managing Partner
calfordseaden
Simon Marks, Partner
Arcadis
Caroline Cormack, Head of Home Ownership & Supply
Homes England
Jane Trethewey, Assistant Director, Housing Development
Birmingham City Council
David Collins, Property Manager
Rugby Borough Council
Stephen Gabriel, Director of Housing
Wychavon District Council
Claire Nangle, Housing Company Advisor
Shropshire Council
Read the full report for practical insights and analysis.
You can download it below.