PRS deemed an ‘expensive form of temporary housing’
MIPIM UK NEWS: People are “settling” for PRS, according to Kate Davies, chief executive of Notting Hill Housing Association, and not choosing.
At a MIPIM UK 2016 debate looking into solutions for the housing shortage, she said: “PRS just a very expensive form of temporary housing for people. Young people are settling for it, they are not millennial, it is their only option.
“I would not wish it on people.”
MIPIM UK NEWS: People are “settling” for PRS, according to Kate Davies, chief executive of Notting Hill Housing Association, and not choosing.
At a MIPIM UK 2016 debate looking into solutions for the housing shortage, she said: “PRS just a very expensive form of temporary housing for people. Young people are settling for it, they are not millennial, it is their only option.
“I would not wish it on people.”
Modular housing also came under fire, a great hope of many developers, with Marc Vlessing, chief executive of Pocket Living, saying that there were “no financial incentives to go modular yet,” and the main reason to use it currently was speed.
Sites in town centres, smaller units, partnerships, the PRS and modular construction were some of the main ways identified to get to market with cheaper housing solutions – however, all come with their shortfalls.
Steve Sanham, managing director at HUB, said it was difficult to stack up schemes even in outer London boroughs, and that HUB is “engaging” Greenwich Council at the moment around the level of affordable in its scheme in Abbey Wood.
“Build costs are still high, and it’s a challenge building high density schemes on top of stations well. It’s a balance.”
Davies said Notting Hill has more than £400m to spend on housing at the moment, and is set to get a further £350m from the European Bank. But despite the money, she said they need more good value land.
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