York to Focus on Quantity and Quality of Municipal Housing Residences
In the face of the pandemic and rising cost-of-living, the City of York Council is taking proactive steps to increase affordable housing within the city. Central to this strategy is the Affordable Homes Standard, a new benchmark developed in partnership with the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership. This Standard ensures a consistent, high-quality approach to affordable housing, prioritising space, energy efficiency, design, adaptability, and environmental sustainability [1].
The City of York Council is among the partners committed to building or acquiring homes that meet this Standard, with the goal of creating homes that are indistinguishable from market housing and sustainable for the long term [1]. The latest housing framework (2025-29) supports this strategy by aligning with net zero goals and modern affordable housing requirements, indicating an ongoing programme to boost affordable housing supply and quality [3].
While specific details about the Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) in York are not explicitly mentioned in the current search results, these frameworks and partnerships collectively represent York's strategic approach to increasing affordable housing supply and quality.
Councillor Michael Pavlovic, executive member for housing at City of York Council, has reaffirmed a commitment to providing good quality, affordable housing for residents struggling to afford market rates in York. He emphasised the importance of exploring opportunities with the Combined Authority to boost affordable housing delivery [4].
In practical terms, the council plans to sell outdated homes from the 20th century and replace them with more modern homes [5]. Some surplus sites owned by the council, unsuitable for affordable housing, will be sold on the open market, including 22 The Avenue in Clifton and five apartments in The Shambles [6].
The next phase of the HDP will build 100% affordable Passivhaus homes, which are zero carbon in use homes [7]. In 2022, the council agreed that second home owners in York will pay double the council tax [8].
Councillor Pavlovic's approach involves innovation, partnership with other social housing providers, and financially supporting the 30-year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business and investment plans [9]. He has also highlighted the importance of strengthening and building strategic partnerships around land, funding, and shared objectives.
The focus on providing more affordable homes for locals is not just about residents' wellbeing and financial security, but also addresses climate change, health, and economic challenges. The council's plans to sell outdated or unsuitable properties or land and invest the capital in buying or building more modern, energy-efficient homes are a testament to this commitment [10].
In summary, the City of York Council's strategy for increasing affordable housing is multifaceted, focusing on quality, sustainability, and strategic partnerships. The Affordable Homes Standard, the Housing Delivery Programme, and Councillor Pavlovic's innovative approach all contribute to York's goal of providing affordable, modern, and sustainable housing for its residents.
- The Affordable Homes Standard, a new benchmark developed for affordable housing in York, prioritizes energy efficiency, design, adaptability, and environmental sustainability, ensuring homes are indistinguishable from market housing for the long term.
- To address the rising cost-of-living and the pandemic, the City of York Council plans to sell outdated homes from the 20th century and replace them with more modern homes, with an emphasis on sustainability.
- In the next phase of the Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) in York, 100% affordable Passivhaus homes, which are zero carbon in use homes, will be built.
- Besides affordability, the council's approach to increasing housing supply and quality also involves innovation, partnerships, and investments in modern, energy-efficient homes, aligning with net zero goals and addressing climate change, health, and economic challenges.
- In addition to fostering a quality lifestyle, the City of York Council's efforts in affordable housing aim to support residents' financial security, with Councillor Pavlovic emphasizing the importance of strengthening partnerships around land, funding, and shared objectives.
