On Monday, 10th August Tenterden Town Council was presented with the first detailed analysis of the need for affordable housing in the town.
The 66-page report was produced by Action with Communities in Rural Kent, supported by Tenterden Community Land Trust (TCLT) and Ashford Borough Council. TCLT is the local community organisation aiming to identify ways of providing genuinely affordable homes in Tenterden and St Michael’s for residents and workers who need it.
The report resulted from a town-wide postal survey, and the results revealed there was a significant gap between what respondents could afford in comparison with local property prices.
More than half of the respondents, mainly in the 25 to 39-year old age group and living in rented property or with relatives, earned less than £30,000 a year.
However, the report highlighted that at current prices, a one-bed property in the town costs £175,000, requiring a deposit of £26,250, and an income of £42,500; while the cheapest two-bed property was priced at £225,000, requiring a deposit of £33,750 and an income of £54,643.
The report also identified a demand for affordable homes from older residents, wanting to move to downsize or move to a more suitable accommodation for their needs.
The Town Council noted the contents of the report, which will also go to Ashford Borough Council as the principal planning authority.