York’s new council leader maps new plans for council homes
Following a local labour win at the beginning of this month, York’s new council leader has pledged to improve council homes as rents continue to skyrocket across the city.
According to research conducted by Zoopla, York is the UK’s 18th most expensive city to rent in, meaning that during these harsh times of increased inflation rates locals are struggling more than ever.
Research from the estate agent highlighted that average rents were £1,034 a month, an increase of 5.8% compared to last year.
Labour leader, Claire Douglas, said the best way to help tackle housing issues was by improving the condition of council homes. In a statement she said: ‘What we can do is improve the quality of rented accommodation for people, because they’re paying an awful lot of money but in many cases it is not very good accommodation.
‘Looking around to see what you get for your money is a bit disheartening to say the least.’
However, as well as hoping to improve the conditions of people’s homes, Ms Douglas has also acknowledged that the council cannot do much to changing the housing situation in York without wider help from the government – the new labour leader has claimed new laws need to be introduced by Parliament.
York’s city MP Rachael Maskell is currently sponsoring a new law to licence short-term and holiday-let homes. Speaking in the House of Commons last year she said there around 2,000 Airbnbs around the northern city, with the majority being rented out as ‘party houses’.
Following this, Ms Maskell has claimed more needs to be done to stop this and turn the properties into affordable homes to help locals in York during this difficult financial time.
Ms Douglas said: ‘We’ve committed to extending licensing of landlords and doing what we can to make sure Airbnbs and short-term holiday lets aren’t as prolific in the city as they currently are, because really in some areas they are quite dominant.’
After being appointed, Ms Douglas has made housing one of her top priorities alongside reversing the ban on blue badges in the city centre and giving primary school pupils free school meals.
Image: Robin Canfield