The results of the Rye Housing Needs Survey, carried out in March, have now been published. The 574 responses, an encouraging return rate of 23%, clearly evidence a need for more accommodation that is available below market rates.
123 households were identified as being in need of affordable accommodation. 78% of respondents stated that they need such accommodation now, or within the next two years.
There is an affordability issue for over half of local wage earners. For example, the purchase of a one-bedroom property requires a gross income of £42,429 and the ability to provide a typical 10% deposit of £16,500. In 2022, the average gross income in Rother was £30,809 per year.
Rye Town Council’s Affordable Accommodation Working Group is using the results of the survey to pursue an affordable housing development, most likely delivered by a community land trust, in partnership with a housing association. If you are interested in joining the trust steering group, please contact the town clerk, Richard Farhall. We would especially like to hear from residents with experience in the fields of law, finance, construction, social / community housing, project management; not-for-profit governance; marketing.
The full report can be found here.
Image Credits: John Haynes https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1883379 CC BY-SA 2.0 .