Housing Crisis

Housing Crisis

Exeter Labour manifesto for Exeter City Council 2022 elections - front cover

Do Exeter Labour election campaign claims stand up to scrutiny? Part I: Exeter’s housing crisis

The first instalment in our 2022 local elections coverage examines Exeter Labour claims related to the housing crisis overtaking the city.

Exeter student house in multiple occupation

Council consultants confirm 58% of Exeter’s university students live in city’s residential housing stock

2021-22 university figures suggest there are now more than 4,500 student HMOs in the city, consistent with ONS findings, with number set to surpass Exeter’s council housing provision.

Guildhall shopping centre sale brochure cover

£55 million Guildhall shopping centre decision may breach local government transparency rules

Exeter City Council decision to purchase and redevelop shopping centre may be unlawful, ineffective and subject to judicial review, increasing already significant commercial investment risks.

Individual overseas ownership of Exeter property titles 2010 to 2021 bar chart

Individual overseas ownership of Exeter property triples in ten years

350% rise greater than in Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, increasing housing costs, reducing home ownership levels and harming housing affordability.

Clifton Hill sports centre

Council plans to scrap affordable housing requirement for Clifton Hill sports centre site redevelopment

Council-owned and financed developer cites unpublished report which values council-owned land for student housing despite council decision ruling out this use.

https://unsplash.com/photos/jgOkEjVw-KM

It’s grim down South West

Recent synthesis of economic data by Devon County Council doesn’t make for very cheerful reading.

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