People are struggling. And things could get worse before they get better
Ribble Valley households face a ‘wicked set’ of circumstances this autumn and winter, which could put more at risk of losing their flats and homes, and also domestic violence, councillors have warned.
RIBBLE VALLEY HOMELESSNESS – KEY FACTS The borough’s latest Homeless Strategy report states: “Current government guidance on assessing affordability recommends using the ratio of house price to income. A ratio of between 3 and 4-to-1 is deemed to be the upper limit of affordability. In Ribble Valley the ratio is 9.
Housing and regeneration officer Colin Hirst said: “Coun Sherras has raised an important point about truly representing what the area’s needs are. There are issues which cross between this committee and the planning committee. “Increases in energy costs, rising interest rates and other factors are driving-up rental costs. But renters’ incomes are not keeping pace. I think we will see more requests for homeless services this year as the cost-of-living crisis trundles through the economy. ”
Coun Brian Holden said: “This report is very interesting. Some parts set-out where the borough is while other parts could perhaps be improved. But it’s also quite difficult to use this as a strategy document. I was trying to think who will use this? Councillors? Staff? Residents? FAMILIES & YOUNG PEOPLE Housing strategy officer Rachel Stott said: “The majority of people we are dealing with are families or young people. In the past, Lancashire County Council funded a scheme but unfortunately it is not funded any-more. We visited Ribble Valley schools and ran a course for five or six years. However, we are building links with high schools, working with young people and have support for them, if mediation does not work.
Mr Hirst replied: “What we have noticed is the number of people who are at risk of being homeless. The challenges are affordability and prices, Things started changing after the covid restrictions ended and evictions were being allowed. Ged Mirfin queried a statistic about the average Ribble Valley income being £30,000. He said: “This tells us virtually nothing. A lot of Ribble Valley residents earn less than £30,000 and a lot of residents earn more. That’s one of the more misleading parts of the report. Very few people earn that average. It’s important to remember that.
He said: “I’m told a number of young people in need can probably afford affordable rents but not shared ownership schemes, because they are a lot more expensive. Affordable rent is very important.”
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