The Priorities
Homes and Housing
We want to improve the quality of life for everyone in Devon by...
Ensuring the availability and balance of appropriate housing.
How Devon is now
Devon's popularity as a place to live means that the shortage of affordable housing is a significant issue with average house prices nearly 10 times average earnings in Devon.
Demand for affordable housing has increased with Local Authority Housing Registers increasing by nearly 50% in the five years from 1999 to 2004.
An Increase in long-term housing supply and affordability is one of government's priority outcomes. As well as increasing supply of new homes we need to ensure those homes are well designed, creating places where people want to live. We have an additional challenge that while increasing supply we also need to ensure that those new homes are more sustainable, with a target of achieving zero carbon from 2016 and reducing water usage by 20%.
Devon is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Devon's population has grown on average by around 4,400 each year over the last ten years and is expected to continue at this rate over the next 15 years and beyond.
88% of Devon’s housing stock is in rural areas.
How will we achieve this Priority?
By 2018, measurable improvements will have been made in the following areas:
- More residents will have access to housing that is of good quality, is affordable and in an environment where people wish to live. Devon will have sufficient development in the pipeline to respond to projected growth.
- Improved housing options are available for the homeless and vulnerable people