New housing strategy to deliver 10,000 new affordable homes for Manchester

Manchester City Council has launched a new housing strategy that will deliver the homes that Manchester people need over the next decade – creating diverse, sustainable and long-lasting communities. 

As Manchester’s population continues to grow rapidly, the council has moved to refresh the city’s housing strategy to meet demand for all types of housing in every part of the city, while committing to build 36,000 homes up to 2032 – 10,000 of which will be social and affordable housing. 

Manchester’s population is expected to hit 627,000 by 2025 (31% rise since 2000) with 100,000 people choosing to live in the city centre. Although more homes are being built in the city than at any time since 2008, more homes are needed. 

To continue to build the homes that Manchester people need – and at the scale required to meet demand – the City Council will need to work closely with in partnership both the private and public housing sectors.

What is Manchester’s new housing strategy?

More homes for all Manchester residents – including more affordable and social homes

36,000 new homes will be built by 2032, says the strategy – 10,000 of these will be social and affordable homes. 

And 3,000 of the new affordable homes will be in the city centre. 

The strategy aims to help more people to become homeowners. 

Through increasing the number of Shared Ownership and Right To Buy homes delivered, they say they will support 15,000 more people to get on the property ladder in the next decade.

And at least 80% of all homes built by 2032 are on brownfield sites close to public transport.

Tackle inequalities and create neighbourhoods where people want to live

The aim is to build 3,000 new larger, affordable family homes by 2032 to tackle overcrowding in parts of the city where families are larger – while also building more homes for older people to ‘right size’ into homes appropriate for their needs. 

It also aims to constantly improve the private rented sector through expanded Selective Licensing – and work with campaign groups to resolve all fire safety issues.

And also to work with their partners to refurbish low quality private sector homes and make them available to people on the housing register.

Increase the number of zero and low carbon homes in the city

At least a third of the city’s 70,000 social homes will be retrofitted to low carbon standards by 2032, says the council – reducing the cost of bills to residents and supporting the target to become a zero carbon city by 2038. 

50% of homes built by 2025 will be low or zero carbon – and a retrofit programme will be developed for all housing in the city.

Work to end homeslessness and provide affordable housing for all

The aim is to reduce the time residents spend on the housing register by increasing the number of affordable and social housing – alongside increased supported housing. 

The council hopes to better understand what is truly affordable to Manchester people and make sure homes are available to people of different incomes. 

They will work alongside A comprehensive work and skills strategy to support residents to raise incomes, allowing them to access more types of housing and tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

Introducing the Manchester Living Rent

This is a level of affordability that is used by the Council’s home building company, This City.

And the city’s housing associations also cap their affordable housing cost at the Manchester Living rent level. 

It is an amount of rent that is set at or below the Local Housing Allowance level. 

The Local Housing Allowance level is an amount set by Government that will cover a person’s rent if they are on housing benefit.

The Manchester Living Rent means we can make sure these developments are accessible to as many people as possible. 

The ambition is to expand the Manchester Living Rent into other housing developments to increase the housing options for all of residents, says the council. 

“We believe that everyone should have access to a safe home in a vibrant community, that is secure and affordable to our residents,” says Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development. 

“Manchester’s growth in recent years has presented real challenges to the housing sector and we know that we need to build more houses of all types in every part of the city to meet demand – and to achieve this we’ll need the support of our partners in both the public and private sector. 

“However, we are confident that this new strategy will help our residents move into the homes they need, and it will react to a number of challenges, including increasing the number of affordable and social homes, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder, and to make sure housing is a key part of the city’s zero carbon journey.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of the Council, said:“Good quality housing is a fundamental need for everyone.

“Having a secure home is the cornerstone that enables our residents to prosper, to live fulfilling lives and to support good health.

“We don’t want this to be a game of chance – we want everyone in our city to have access to a good home. 

“Manchester has changed lots over the last two decades. This is an exciting place to live and more people are choosing to live in our city.

“This success and our growth should be celebrated, but at the same time we need to make that everyone in our city can share in this success.  

“Our new Housing Strategy is about making sure than Manchester works for everyone. It means building the homes our residents need, adapting to tackle climate change head on, and making the city affordable to anyone who wants to live here. 

“Manchester has always been a place of opportunity and ambition.

“Our approach to housing must meet that potential and deliver the homes that work for Manchester people.”