Partnership lays foundations for housing market study

The partnership will see the North East’s largest landlord group working with NECC to understand the region’s market for would-be house-buyers and potentially developing a new product for low-cost homeownership suited to the region’s housing needs.

Thirteen Group chief executive Alison Thain said: “As a business rooted in the North East, we’re really proud to be a partner of the NECC.

“At Thirteen, we’re first and foremost a housing provider, committed to being a catalyst for change, providing opportunities for people to make a positive difference to their own lives, as well as to wider communities and making an impact on the region as a whole.

“Working together, we will carry out a comprehensive survey to understand the region’s housing finance market and launch a report discussing the economic benefits of delivering a wider range of housing for a range of incomes with the aim of planning how stakeholders can develop a potential low-cost homeownership product.”

NECC director of policy Ross Smith believes the partnership has come at the perfect time.

“Through our manifesto we are committed to a Working North East and if we are to promote North East England as a great place to build a career, there must be affordable homes available to those who wish to build their careers here.

“Since the election, we have seen a clear shift in the direction of housing policy.

“With the Government currently consulting on proposals to widen the definition of affordable housing to include a much broader range of products that facilitate low-cost homeownership, we’re excited to be working together to consider new options.”