Creating and sustaining mixed income communities

The government is embarking on a major housing improvement and development programme which represents a significant departure from previous initiatives. The intention is to ensure that the needs of all sections of the community are met through the refurbishment of existing estates, as well as through new construction of sustainable communities. These are communities which succeed now, economically, socially and environmentally, and respect the needs of future generations. A central aim of this guide is to show the extent to which achieving mixed income developments is an important prerequisite for sustainable communities. Because of the limited data available on household incomes, tenure is often used as an alternative. As privately owned property is increasingly seen as a commodity with a commercial value, factors such as location, size, amenities, and condition become of increased importance and will rise or fall in value according to demand. For instance, high value one- or two- bedroom units in a central location may well transfer from owner-occupation to being traded in the ‘buy to let’ market; inferior properties in a less favourable location may well be let at market rates en bloc to the local authority.