Affordability issues
Affordability issuesThe General Needs Housing Study highlights issues with affordability across all tenures. Overall, Cumberland has seen a 17.6% increase in the prices of homes priced in the lower quartile and median ranges. This figure masks very differing figures within Cumberland, with house prices in the Lake District National Park – West Lakes increasing by 53.6% and house prices in Carlisle City rising by a comparatively low 10.36%.
The cost of a privately rented home has also increased across Cumberland. Since 2010, the cost of renting a home in the lower quartile price range has increased by 29.0%, and by 34.1% to rent a home in the median price range. Only the cost of renting shared accommodation in the West Cumbria Broad Rental Market Area is covered by Local Housing Allowance.
Rising costs in the private rented sector increases pressure on registered providers to provide genuinely affordable housing.
There is a clear connectivity between a lack of affordable housing and an increase in homelessness and for longer periods. The statutory timeframe to make a decision about a person's housing situation is 56 days and the average waiting times in band A on Cumbria Choice are much higher. The lack of affordable housing options for those receiving a service through the homelessness and prevention route is a challenge, particularly for low income families.
Table 8: household income required for renting to be affordable
| Sub-area | Social rent (average) | Affordable rent | Market rent (LQ) | Market rent (median) | Lower quartile gross household income | Median gross household income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle City | 18,631 | 22,810 | 23,904 | 28,512 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| Lakeland Fringe | 18,631 | 26,611 | 29,952 | 33,264 | 15,000 | 35,000 |
| Millom | 18,631 | 19,123 | 19,152 | 23,904 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| Rural Carlisle | 18,631 | 22,118 | 23,712 | 27,648 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| Solway Coast to Lakes | 18,631 | 22,118 | 23,712 | 27,648 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| West Cumbria | 18,631 | 22,118 | 23,904 | 27,648 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| LNDP - North Lakes (West) | 18,631 | 30,451 | 31,200 | 38,064 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| LDNP - West Lakes | 18,631 | 33,600 | 29,952 | 42,000 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| Cumberland | 18,631 | 22,963 | 24,960 | 28,704 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
Table 9: household income required for home ownership to be affordable (based on 3.5 x income) by sub-area
| Sub-area | Market sale (LQ) | Market sale (median) | Discounted sale (30%) | Lower quartile gross household income | Median gross household income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle City | 24,429 | 33,429 | 23,400 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| Lakeland Fringe | 38,571 | 57,857 | 40,500 | 15,000 | 35,000 |
| Millom | 20,314 | 28,286 | 19,800 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| Rural Carlisle | 37,543 | 61,071 | 42,750 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Solway Coast to Lakes | 32,143 | 45,193 | 31,635 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
| West Cumbria | 22,179 | 33,422 | 23,395 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| LDNP - North Lakes (West) | 70,714 | 99,000 | 69,300 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| LDNP - West Lakes | 41,143 | 74,571 | 52,200 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| Cumberland | 25,329 | 37,800 | 26,460 | 15,000 | 25,000 |