Annual Housing Factsheet – 2022

Background

Wealden District is made up of 42 towns and parishes. Wealden’s housing market is primarily focussed on a set of towns and larger settlements. These are influenced in turn by relationships with larger towns which sit just beyond the local authority boundaries. These relationships include those between Forest Row and East Grinstead, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells, Hailsham and Eastbourne and, to a lesser extent, Uckfield and Haywards Heath. These relationships reflect local commuting patterns, with workers in these larger external towns seeking housing opportunities nearby. There is also some relationship in terms of localised house prices.

There is also a regional overlay to the housing market, with settlements to the north being closer in travel time to London as well as the Gatwick/Crawley area and the M25 corridor.

The overall effect is that the north of the District has a housing market that includes inner south east characteristics, while the south includes characteristics of its nearby south coast. This results in higher prices being found to the north on a per square foot basis or for similar types of properties. There is, of course, some variation within local areas.

The research highlighted that the Wealden District Council Housing Market Area (HMA) encompasses a wider area beyond the district, to include:

• Wealden
• Eastbourne
• Tunbridge Wells
• Rother
• Lewes and
• Mid Sussex.

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment identified that Wealden has a strong relationship with Eastbourne, Lewes, Tunbridge Wells, Mid-Sussex and Rother. Approximately. 43% of those moving to the District came from these locations, based on average annual flows for 2010 – 2013. There has been no further data published since then with the last official data from 2011 Census. We await the publication of the 2021 Census.

The tables below compares migration from 2010 to 2020 (when the last figures were published).

Migration from other parts of the UK, into and out of Wealden:

The table above shows that Wealden’s population grew by 1,808 people in 2020 as a result of migration within the UK, up from 1,162 in 2010.

Migration from outside of the UK, into and out of Wealden:

The table above shows that Wealden’s population grew by 142 people in 2020 as a result of international migration up from 115 in 2010.

Overall migration by age:

The table above illustrates that the 25-44 years olds are the biggest group affected by migration. 

The 2011 Census found that Wealden had a population of 148,915 people across 62,676 households. The Office of National Statistics estimated that as at mid-2020 the population in Wealden had increased to 162,733 an increase of 13,818 people over 9 years.

Trend based population projections estimate that the population in Wealden will continue to grow reaching 179,965 by 2043. There will be a growth in numbers of all age bands between 2016 and 2043. However, those aged 0-17 as a percentage of the overall population will fall by 1.9% and those aged 18-64 years will fall by 5.8%, whereas those aged 65+ will grow by 7.7%.By 2043 those aged 65+ will make up 33/6% of Wealden’s population.

Source: 2011 Census                                           

Wealden is the largest district in East Sussex and covers 323 square miles. The Council continues to own and manage its own housing stock. As at 4^th July 2022  Wealden owned 3017 rented properties across the 5 main towns in the District and in 30 of the 37 parishes. This is made up of 15.5% retirement living housing (of which 0.43 are bungalows and 1.09 bedsits), 33.8% flats, 0.2% bedsits, 8.1% bungalows and 42.4% houses. In addition, the service manages 27 Housing Association properties in Crowborough, 205 leasehold flats sold under the Right to Buy, 76 retirement leasehold properties and two Right to Buy shared ownership properties and 11 other shared ownership properties.

The table below shows the property prices in Wealden and compares it to the national, South East and East Sussex prices. These prices are taken from the ESIF (East Sussex in Figures) for 2020 and shows the increase in property prices since 2015.

The percentages have been rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.

The table shows that Wealden’s median and lower property prices in 2021 were higher than the England and Wales, South East at East Sussex figure at £372,000 and £285,000 respectively.  

It is also worth noting that within East Sussex Wealden and Lewes have the joint highest median property price at £372,000 followed by Rother at £345,625. Wealden has the second highest lower quartile property figure at £285,000 behind Lewes whose is £295, with Rother third at £252,000.  

Source: Wealden’s Housing Management System, as at 10^th April 2022. Please note where N/A is used we do not currently have these types of property at that type of rent.

Please note that traditionally all council rents were social rents, however any new properties built or acquired with Government grants must be set at affordable rents which are up to 80% of the cost of private rents for the same type of property in the same location.

The table below shows the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. These are set by the Rent Service and are based on the lowest 30^th percentile of properties available for rent in the broad rental market by size. The amount of Local Housing Allowance used in the calculation of Housing Benefit/Universal Credit depends on the accommodation needs of the household, not the size of property.  These rates were frozen for 4 years up until April 2020.

Local Housing Allowance Rates

To find which Broad Market Rental Area (BRMA) a property is within, view details on the  Valuation Office Agency Rent Officers website

As at April 2022 there were 532 households registered on the Council’s Housing Register.

Of these 532:

• 276 required a 1 bedroom property
• 139 required a 2 bedroom property
• 86 required a 3 bedroom property
•  31 required a property with more than 3 bedrooms   

Breakdown of the 532 applications by Band:

• Band A = 46
• Band B = 45
• Band C = 248
• Band D = 193

This compares with the total 524 social homes, which became available to those on the Housing Register between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. Of which 290 were Council properties and 254 Private Registered Providers (Housing Associations known as PRP).

Of the 290 council properties let:

• 5 were temporary accommodation bedsits
• 148 were 1 bedroom properties – with 10 bungalows, 72 flats of which were temporary accommodation and 62 retirement living flats
• 110 were 2 bedroom properties – with 7 bungalows, 62 flats of which 12 were temporary accommodation, 40 houses and 1 retirement living flat
• 26 were 3 bedroom properties – all were houses
• 1 was a 4 bedroom house

Of the 254 PRP properties

• 65 were 1 bedrooms, one of which was a sheltered/retirement living property and 64 were 1 bedroom flats
• 136 were 2 bedroom properties, 70 were flats and 66 houses
• 48 were 3 bedroom properties of which 1 was a flat and 47 houses

99% of our homes (other than those in retirement living courts awaiting refurbishment) meet the Decent Homes Standard which we maintain through an active programme of property inspections and works.  

In 2021/22 we completed the following works:

• Repointing Works to 15 properties
• Door canopies replaced to 36 properties.
• Resurfaced 156 footpaths
• Fencing repairs and replacements to over 50 properties
• Replacement windows to 70 properties
• Replaced doors to 298 properties including upgrading of fire doors
• New doors, windows  or roofs to  75 sheds
• Replaced 128 kitchens and 32 bathrooms

We are continuing to work with resident groups and analyse feedback from surveys to further improve our service and ensure we prioritise our works according to need and their expectations having consideration to available budgets.

In 2021-22 the Council have:

• Replaced 130 gas boilers.
• Installed new gas central heating system to 1 properties.
• Upgraded 10 electrical heating systems.
• Installed 4 air source heat pumps

We continue to work in partnership with statutory and voluntary groups to disseminate information and advice on energy efficiency and are currently developing a program of work to improve the energy efficiency of our properties. (We work in partnership to offer advice and signpost owner occupiers to grant funding schemes available for energy efficiency measures and have been undertaking a project to locate and improve the energy efficiency of private rented properties which do not meet the minimum standard)

The Council continues to fund adaptations to properties to both council and private homes (including Housing Association properties) via the Disabled Facilities Grants Procedure. Work carried out includes major adaptation works such as conversion of bathrooms into shower rooms as well as minor adaptations, such as handrails, were undertaken for council tenants.

In 2020-21 there the following major adaptations were carried to:

• 32 Council tenants
• 28 Owner Occupiers
• 2 private tenants
• 1 Right to occupy
• 18 Housing Association tenants

Additionally 156 minor adaptations were carried out for council tenants

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2021 reported that the median gross annual income for all employees working in Wealden was

£22,214.40 (up 1.1% from 2021), which is lower than the England figure of £26,228.20, the South East median figure of £27,248 and the East Sussex figure of £23,025.60. It is ranked second lowest in East Sussex out if the five authority areas, behind Rother whose median annual earnings figure is £20,612.80.  

However, the median weekly income of Wealden residents is higher than employee based figures at £25,344.80 (up 6.8% on 2020) per annum. This figure is higher than the England figure of £26,228.80, the South East figure of £28,236 and the East Sussex figure of £24,923.60. It is also the second highest in East Sussex behind Lewes whose annual median income is £28,766.40.

The median annual income of Wealden residents is higher than that of Wealden employees due to high levels of commuting out of the District.

Average income for all Wealden residents in 2020 in comparison to elsewhere (both full and part time workers):

East Sussex in Figures taken from Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2021

Wealden residents continue to experience low levels of unemployment. With unemployment estimates for the calendar year 2021 reported at 3.5% ( a decrease of 0.1% from 2020) of Wealden’s working age population to be unemployed which is lower than the England estimate of 4.5%, the South East figure of 3.8% and the East Sussex figure of 3.4%. Within East Sussex Wealden has the lowest levels of unemployment at 3.5%. Hastings has the highest at 5.5%, (from East Sussex in Figure) followed by Eastbourne at 4.8%, then Lewes at 3.9%, then Rother at 3.65.

Additionally as at May 2022 Wealden has a claimant rate (from East Sussex in Figure, as at May 2022) (including Job Seekers Allowance and Universal Credit) of just 2.3 % which is much lower than the national figure of 3.9%, the South East figure of 3.0% and East Sussex figure of 3.8%. It is the lowest rate in East Sussex, with the next lowest being Lewes at 3.3% and the highest Hastings at 6.0%. These figures vary across the age profiles of claimants in Wealden , peaking for those aged 16-24 at 3.5%, with 2.8% of 25 to 49 year olds and 2.9% of 50 to 64 year olds claiming unemployment benefits. 

The Indices of Deprivation were last updated in 2019. They assessed deprivation having regard to income and employment, education, skills and training, health deprivation and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services and living environment. They show that within East Sussex, Wealden continues to be the least deprived district in East Sussex, with Hastings the most deprived locally and one of the worst nationally. The most deprived wards continue to be in Hailsham East and Hailsham South and West, with the worse indices being Health, Deprivation and Disability and Crime or Living Environment.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. It requires all households in housing need now or within 56 days to have an assessment of their situation, support needs and housing requirements. A personalised housing plan (PHP) will be agreed between the local authority and themselves setting out the steps for the Council and the applicant to take to prevent or relieve their homelessness. Applicants will be supported to carry out the actions within their plan, which is monitored and regularly reviewed.

During 2020/21 we completed 482 personalised housing plans.

During 2021/22 364 homelessness applications were made, which is down from 567 the previous year. Of these 24 were accepted as homeless and 165 cases of homelessness were prevented or 45.32% up from 28.75% in 2020/21. Wherever possible those at risk of homelessness will be assisted e.g. through help to enable them to stay in their current accommodation or through assistance to secure alternative accommodation for example through a deposit or guarantee.  

In the 2021/22 the average length of stay in emergency accommodation was 7.8 weeks, down slightly from 8.11 weeks in 2020/21.

Total households in emergency accommodation (as at year end) was 42 and is consistent with the 45 as at 31^st March 2021. This increase from previous years (2019/20 and before) is due to Government changes (Rough Sleepers Initiative) which have resulted in rough sleepers now being placed in temporary accommodation whereas in the past they would not have necessarily been eligible for assistance under the Homelessness legislation.

The Wealden area remains one of the safest places to live and work in the UK.  Last year (2021/22) there were 6,150 crimes reported to Sussex Police which equates to 38 crimes per 1,000 population.  This figure is the lowest crime rate per 1000 population when compared to other areas of East Sussex. 

Road safety remains a high priority; sadly far too many road users are killed or seriously injured on Wealden’s roads.  In 2021/22 434 road users were killed or injured on Wealden’s roads, 113 of these were seriously injured and 12 killed.  The statistics reveal that younger drivers are at particular risk as are motorcyclists of all ages. 

The statistics show that most of the more serious crashes occur relatively close to the driver’s / rider’s home.  One explanation for this is that we all have a tendency to think about other things when driving on familiar roads… habits take over.  And when we are not concentrating we put ourselves at higher risk.  Speed too always makes the outcome of any crash worse.  So the message is clear concentrate, avoid distraction whenever you are using the roads and slow down. 

The Safer Wealden Partnership brings together a number of agencies, all working together to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and manage the fear of crime.  The partners include: Sussex Police; Wealden District Council; East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service; the Office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner; East Sussex County Council; the Wealden District Association of Local Councils; the Probation Service; local education; and the NHS. 

The Safer Wealden Partnership’s priorities for 2022/23 are:

1. Working to ensure local people feel safe and secure and reducing the fear of crime.
2. Working together to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Wealden’s roads and to improve road safety awareness.
3. Working to protect and divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour.
4. To work in partnership to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.
5. Working to reduce acquisitive crime.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing crime and there are practical steps we can all take to minimise our chances of being a victim of crime.  In addition we should always report anything that appears suspicious to the Police.  Take a look at the Sussex Police website for tips on crime prevention and on how to report crime, https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ you can also report anti-social driving direct to Sussex Police via Operation Crackdown, visit the website http://www.operationcrackdown.org.uk/