Number of affordable homes built in Scarborough borough 'highest in seven years'
Almost 200 were built last year, according to the Council
Almost 200 new affordable homes were built in the borough of Scarborough in 2021-2022 according to the council.
The newly built 192 affordable homes mark the highest level of completion in Scarborough since 2014-15.
Cllr Carl Maw, the cabinet member for stronger communities and housing, presented the information in his work report to a full meeting of the authority on July 4.
He said that of the new homes, 164 were developed directly by housing associations working in partnership with Scarborough Council and Homes England.
Cllr Maw said in his report: “The homes completed provide a good mix of type and tenure and are spread across the Borough.
“They include 70 homes for older people at the new Filey Fields Extra Care scheme and a further 29 homes in rural locations including 12 homes on a rural exception site in Staithes.”
However, Scarborough Council does not own or build any affordable housing itself, having transferred all its stock to Yorkshire Coast Homes in 2003.
Speaking at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Thursday 7 July, Cllr Paul Riley, said: “I think we’re building 450 homes a year, and the resident population is static.
“I seem to recall from a report that the population has actually slightly reduced over the past decade. I think it said that in the eight years up to 2025, the population was only going to increase by 370.”
According to a 2021 report, 97,000 or 15 per cent of North Yorkshire’s population lived in Scarborough and Whitby.
The report, which examines key demographics in the area, also notes that Scarborough & Whitby has higher levels of both owner-occupied properties as well as of private rented accommodation, than England as a whole.
On the topic of housing, Cllr Maw added at the full council meeting that the authority had also been working with North Yorkshire County Council to help deliver the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
So far, the scheme has resulted in more than 50 sponsors providing homes for refugees in the borough, with Cllr Maw adding that so far the council’s role has “been in vetting the suitability of accommodation to ensure it is safe”.
He said: “We also have a key role to play in terms of failed sponsorships and subsequent homelessness. To date, only one sponsorship in the borough has failed.”