SOCIAL HOUSING WAITING LISTS HAVE GROWN THE MOST IN THE NORTH WEST

HOUSING waiting lists in the North West have risen 75% in the last 5 years, more than any other region according to a new report from the National Housing Federation.  Home Truths 2008 - North West reveals that 212,600 households or close to half a million people are waiting for social housing in the region.

Despite recent falls in house prices, affordability remains a major problem throughout the region.  House prices have risen over 80% in the last 5 years, well above the national average of 58%.  On average homes in the region now cost almost 9 times incomes.

The credit crunch means banks are demanding much higher deposits and with a hike in interest rates first time buyers face yet more misery.  House prices may currently be dropping in the region but affordability for first time buyers is not improving.  The gross annual income required to get a mortgage for the average house price is in excess of £43,400, more than double the actual average income.  This is based on a 95% mortgage of 3.5 times the income, which used to be standard but now is almost impossible to find.

The document contains the latest forecasts from Oxford Economics showing that despite a further fall in house prices in 2009 and 2010 we face a period of rapid rises from 2011 to 2012.  The average house price in the region by 2013 will be over £195,000 more than 22% higher than today.  During these turbulent times it is always difficult to predict what lies ahead and the housing market could face a more severe slump if the world wide economic crisis worsens.

The report also shows:-

► Social housing stock in the region has fallen 10% in the last 5 years, more than double the national average.

► Housing transactions are down almost 40% in a year, from 12,360 in April 07 to 7,498 in April 08.

► Nearly 11,400 households were accepted as homeless in the region last year.

► Eden and South Lakeland in Cumbria both feature in the top 20 locations in the country for second and holiday homes and the 40 most unaffordable places in the country for younger working households to buy a home.

Across the region:-

► Cheshire house prices are almost 11 times average incomes.  Over 18,800 households are on waiting lists but only 307 new social homes were provided last year.

► Cumbria house prices are 10 times average incomes.  Over 13,000 households are on waiting lists but only 153 new social homes were provided last year.

► Greater Manchester house prices are 8 times average incomes.  Over 87,500 households are on waiting lists but only 630 new social homes were provided last year.

► Lancashire house prices are 8 times average incomes.  Over 24,600 households are on waiting lists but only 246 new social homes were provided last year.

► Merseyside house prices are 8 times average incomes.  Over 40,600 households are on waiting lists but only 800 new social homes were provided last year.

Other areas and a further breakdown of facts and figure are contained in the report

Sallie Bridgen, National Housing Federation North West regional manager said:- "Across the North West housing supply is not meeting demand.  The region has seen the greatest rise in demand for social housing over the last 5 years with close to half a million people in the region now on a social housing waiting list.

House prices have risen much faster than the national average since 2003, making home ownership unattainable for most first time buyers.

Dropping house prices bring no relief, borrowing conditions are much stricter, housing transactions in the region have tumbled and more people are now turning to housing associations for help.

Following the current economic downturn we predict further rapid rises in house prices similar to those of the past 5 years.  This may offer some relief for current home owners but means yet more misery for those looking to get on to the property ladder.

We may be operating in a different economic climate but the urgent need for new social homes remains as great as before.

It is time for the Government to be radical to deal with the changed market.  If we get this right, housing associations could be in a position to lead the recovery in house building."

The Federation applauds the Government for committing to implementing the mortgage rescue scheme devised by the Federation and the Council of Mortgage Lenders.  However more can be done and the Government must:-

► Increase public investment to support the building of new high quality family housing for social rent.

► Make public land available to housing associations at discounted rates.

► Bring forward the entire social house building budget for 2008/9-2010/11 and make it available for housing associations so they can use it for house building now.

► Support housing associations in buying un-saleable private developer homes of an appropriate standard.

LIVERPOOL’S MAGNIFICENT 7 ARE THE TOAST OF AFRICA

A family of 7 from Liverpool are currently volunteering in war-torn Liberia as part of an international crew on board the Africa Mercy - the world’s largest hospital ship currently providing free medical care to thousands of people in the west African country.

Andy Cole, newly appointed chief engineer on board the Africa Mercy, his wife Brenda, HR Manager, and his family of 5 children, Matt (21), Steve (19), Emma (16), Chris (15) and Josh (12) are all living and volunteering on board the ship.  Engineering has followed Andy through his life and his career led him to Mercy Ships 8 years ago when he embarked on helping with the transformation of the Africa Mercy, from a rail ferry to a state-of-the-art hospital ship.

The engineers on board the Africa Mercy play a crucial part in the running of the ship ensuring the safety of the patients and volunteers and Andy is not the only member of the family with engineering in his blood.

Matt Cole (21), following in his father’s footsteps volunteering as an engine hand, said:- “It may seem unique that we all live and work together on the ship but it works for us.  We want to make a difference and help improve the lives of others.  Mercy Ships is very dear to all our hearts and we believe that we can really make a difference.  Mercy Ships depends entirely on volunteers to continue its work and it is the most rewarding experience helping the people of Liberia.  I love meeting different people and experiencing different cultures and we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Mercy Ships.”

Andy Cole said:- “The children absolutely love being here and interacting with the local children.  We feel that we have given them a very special opportunity and we are very proud of each one of them.  They are experiencing life lessons that cannot be taught but will shape their lives forever.  I have always wanted to use my skills and qualifications in engineering to do something worthwhile and when we heard of Mercy Ships, a project that the whole family could be a part of, we were thrilled that we could all help in some way.”

Judy Polkinhorn Executive Director of Mercy Ships, UK said:- “The volunteers at Mercy Ships are extremely precious to us.  The Cole family are particularly special and it’s wonderful to see how well their family works together and the special bonds the children have made with the local children.  They have such big hearts.  To be a volunteer you have to be courageous, brave, committed and passionate and these are qualities that are so deeply admired in our volunteers who selflessly give up their time and their holidays to help carry out the lifesaving work of Mercy Ships.”

Mercy Ships has treated more than 230,000 people in village medical clinics, performed more than 35,000 surgeries, 190,000 dental treatments and completed over 950 construction and agricultural projects, including schools, clinics, orphanages and water wells.  For those interested in volunteering, please see their website or contact 01438 727800.

QUALITY TIME

KIDS wish they had more time with Dad.  1 in 3 children say they rarely spend longer than 1 hour with dad each day – and that’s only if they catch him before he goes out to work, and returns in time for their bedtime.  2/3rds of children say they wish their dad spent less working and more time with them.  But a shocking 22% also claim Dad is more concerned about pursuing his own hobbies and interests than playing with them.

The shock poll of 500, 6 to 15-year-olds, was conducted by the market research website for children, www.youngpoll.com.  It revealed that 56% of children don’t even believe that Dad goes out to work to give them a good upbringing – claiming it’s all about making money.  43% of youngsters say they would simply enjoy hanging out with Dad more, whilst 41% think it would be good to have more play-time together.  17% would appreciate their Dad’s help with homework, and 16% would like their Dad to read with them.

John Sewell, spokesman for www.youngpoll.com said:- “As the majority of Dads are the main breadwinners for their families, it comes as no great surprise that mum is the main carer and therefore spends more time with the children.  But the children we questioned don’t really care how much money Dad has, or what toys they can or can’t have.  Most children would simply enjoy the opportunity to play with their Dad’s more, have Dad tuck them in at night and eat dinner as a complete family.  But poor Dads are in a difficult position; they want to provide for their families and do the best for them, and sometimes that means working all the hours God sends.”

More than a 3rd of kids would relish the opportunity to play their computer games with Dad, whilst 31% would like to watch movies.  15% would like to try cooking with Dad, and the same percentage of kids would simply enjoy sitting round the dinner table at tea time.  Only 14% of kids say their Dad knows them better with their mums, who spend an average of 5 hours caring for them every day.  Only 1 in 10 kids would confide in Dad about friends, school work and secrets; 59% would tell mum their private thoughts, whilst 25% would turn to friends.  But 86% of children aged 6 and over say they know at least one of their parents will be a shoulder to cry on if they need them.

John Sewell continued:- “Most Dads will love and care for their children just as much as mums, but are stressed out with day to day commitments and putting a roof over their family’s heads.”

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