Section: Research & Surveys

In Brief

A survey by ICM Research on behalf of Merlion Homes found that 47% of people would prefer to take shared ownership of a privately built property. Less than a third favoured a property provided by a housing association.

The findings support Merlion Homes' lobbying for a change in planning rules, aimed at encouraging the private sector to be more active in shared equity housing.
A Housing Corporation-funded report from Sovereign Housing Group found that the failure by developers to offer social housing tenants on mixed-tenure estates the same design options as private owners is creating tensions.

The report, based on interviews with tenants and owners on three new mixed-tenure developments, in Berkshire and Dorset, recommends that social housing tenants should be offered the same choices as private tenants on issues such as fixtures and fittings.

The report also found that lack of garages and storage space are particular problems for social housing tenants, which is often not the case for their private sector neighbours.
The affordability debate was fuelled by new research that found that over 20% of first-time buyers had support from relatives in financing their house purchase. A survey by YouGov for the House Builders' Federation found that 21% of first-time buyers who had purchased a home in the last five years, financed the deposit with help from a relative. It also found that 95% of us think those buying a first home face a financial problem.
A poll of 154 MPs from all political parties found that housing is a priority issue for black and ethnic minority communities. The poll, which was carried out by Presentation HA, offered multiple-choice answers and found that 38% of MPs interviewed considered housing was the priority issue for BME communities in their constituencies.

Section: Research & Surveys

In Brief

Housing Monthly Diary

Reporting on April 2005

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