Reflections from 2020 – Keeping rents affordable

  • 0% rent increase on 500+ homes for 3 years
  • CPI only rent increase for most other homes for 2 years
  • Lower average weekly rents than comparable RSL

The last year has been extremely difficult for all our customers which is why we limited rent increases for the second year since the launch of our affordable rent policy. Our Chair David Birch explains…

“The Board were keen to respond to the growing concerns over rent and fuel affordability in our social homes. For the last 2 years, rents have been set in accordance with our rent affordability policy that was based on research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The policy has led us to limiting increases to the Welsh Government’s CPI figure which was 1% lower than the feasible rent increase that could have been applied. In addition, the Board approved to continue the rent freeze for a 3rd year on our 595 intermediate rented homes in an effort to help affordability. Our average rent remains one of the most competitive Housing Association rents in Pembrokeshire.

Rent is only part of the affordability concern, as part of our responsibility to the environment, over the next year we will be developing ateb’s plans to reduce energy required to heat homes and therefore reduce our customers costs.”

The introduction of our rent policy and the development of a decarbonisation strategy aimed at lowering fuel costs are major steps towards increasing the affordability of our homes and helping Wales reach its net zero target.

Nick Hampshire
Chief Executive
ateb Group Limited

ateb Reflections are a look back at some of our key considerations and achievements from 2020.

To download a copy of Reflection 1 – Keeping rents affordable please click here.

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