Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 59506
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Pocket Living
Agent: Quod
This policy should include specific reference to the need to ‘provide affordable ownership housing for young single person households’.
The growing needs of young single person households is recognised by the Council’s housing evidence base which notes Cambridge has one of the ‘youngest’ populations in the country with people aged 24 and under making up around 37% of the City’s population (page 12). This cohort typically comprises young single person households who have been forced to live in low quality overcrowded or otherwise unsuitable shared rental housing or leave the area. These households are largely aspiring first time buyers who cannot afford to buy locally within a reasonable commuting distance. The number of single person or other households without children in Cambridge City Centres also projected to increase significantly (+8%) by 2043 whilst the number of households with children decreases (-17%) (ONS 2021).
This policy should include specific reference to the need to ‘provide affordable ownership housing for young single person households’.
The growing needs of young single person households is recognised by the Council’s housing evidence base which notes Cambridge has one of the ‘youngest’ populations in the country with people aged 24 and under making up around 37% of the City’s population (page 12). This cohort typically comprises young single person households who have been forced to live in low quality overcrowded or otherwise unsuitable shared rental housing or leave the area. These households are largely aspiring first time buyers who cannot afford to buy locally within a reasonable commuting distance (Cambridge City Centre now has one of the longest average commute times of all UK cities). The number of single person or other households without children in Cambridge City Centres also projected to increase significantly (+8%) by 2043 whilst the number of households with children decreases (-17%) (ONS 2021).