Housing Associations have identified Margate and other coastal towns as ideal investment opportunity

Following on from the post on Orbit South Housing Association's involvement in 19 Hawley Square I was reminded of a recent presentation at the Seasider event where coastal regeneration was the main topic of discussion. A speaker from Local Space housing association stated they were launching Coastal Space and that they have identified coastal towns Margate and Hastings as being good investments for expansion. What wasn't clear to me was good for who? Given our high numbers of unemployed and our housing stock being larger than average buildings (ex-hotels and guest houses, more often than not historical buildings requiring a high standard of upkeep and maintenance), and with 800+ empty properties in Margate and Cliftonville, with already low rents do we need an influx of housing associations?

Here's an article in The Guardian on the impact of the Housing Benefit cap. We will be an affordable region.

"A third of England will become unaffordable for low-income households within a decade, according to a study by two leading housing organisations."

Local Authority crack down on run down seafront buildings in Hastings, East Sussex

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/10498749.stm

Landlords who allow buildings to fall into disrepair in an East Sussex resort are receiving letters from the council.

Hastings Borough Council said owners faced serious action if they allowed seafront buildings to become run down.

The leader of the council, Jeremy Birch, has noted down every building needing repair or redecoration.

Owners will receive a letter encouraging them to smarten up their buildings. Failure to respond could result in enforcement action.

Mr Birch said: "If you own a building in our town you have a social responsibility for its upkeep.

"The council will remind you of your responsibility and if you don't accept that we have the power to compel you to, you can be taken to court, fined or even be forced to pay after we do the work on your behalf.

"The seafront is the town's shop window. If it looks dowdy and scruffy day trippers or potential business investors will just drive on by and go somewhere else.

"We can't afford for that to happen. In difficult economic times there is even more competition for visitors and inward investors so we have to make sure the town looks as good as it can."