3  Affordable and Sustainable Homes

Building affordable and attractive homes in sustainable communities

Author

TEOS

Published

October 6, 2026

3.1 Context

This chapter tracks indicators related to housing affordability and sustainability across the West of England. Indicators cover metrics like housing completions, affordability ratios, energy efficiency, social housing supply, and planning permissions. Indicators were developed to provide high-level insights into regional trends and performance in relation to the West of England’s housing priorities as outlined in our Growth Strategy.

Affordable and Sustainable Homes: Indicator Summary
Latest published value per indicator
Priority 3: Creating and building homes and communities that are affordable, attractive and sustainable
Indicator From To Latest value Units Change
Annual net increase in the number of dwellings 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 3,024 Number of dwellings ↓ -33.2%
Proportion of non - decent homes 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 13 % ↑ +0.0 ppt
Proportion of homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating C or above 2026-07-01 2026-07-31 53 % ↑ +0.1 ppt
House price to workplace-based earnings ratio 2024-01-01 2024-12-31 9 Ratio ↓ -7.9%
Private monthly rental prices 2023-07-01 2024-06-30 1,425 £ ↑ +6.3%
Number and rate in temporary accommodation 2025-01-01 2025-12-31 2,232 No. of households ↑ +15.4%
Regional CO2 emissions from domestic sector 2024-01-01 2024-12-31 451 kilotonnes CO2e ↓ -0.9%

3.2 Net Additional Dwellings

Net Additional Dwellings
Annual net increase in the number of dwellings
Latest value 3,024 Number of dwellings (2025-03-31)
Previous value 4,529 Number of dwellings (2024-03-31)
Change vs previous ↓ -33.2%
First value 4,240 Number of dwellings (2015-03-31)
Change since first ↓ -28.7%
Observations 11
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator reports the annual net increase in the number of dwellings across the West of England. It is based on DLUHC’s Net Additional Dwellings statistics (Live Table 122), which capture the total change in the housing stock each year. Net additions include new build completions, conversions, changes of use, and other gains, minus demolitions and other losses.

The indicator provides a consistent measure of housing delivery over time and helps assess whether the region is expanding its housing stock at a pace aligned with growth ambitions and local need. The WECA figure is calculated by summing net additions across the four unitary authorities.

Line chart showing annual net additional dwellings for each unitary authority and the West of England total. The chart illustrates year-on-year variation in housing delivery and highlights periods of higher or lower growth in the regional housing stock.

3.3 Non-decent homes

Non-decent Homes
Proportion of dwellings failing the Decent Homes Standard
Latest value 13% (2025-03-31)
Previous value 13% (2024-03-31)
Change vs previous ↑ +0.0 ppt
First value 20% (2010-03-31)
Change since first ↓ -7.5 ppt
Observations 16
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator tracks the proportion of dwellings in each local authority area that do not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

A home is considered non‑decent if it fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard, which requires that a dwelling:

  • is free from serious hazards assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
  • is in a reasonable state of repair
  • has reasonably modern facilities and services
  • provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

Source: UK Government – Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes, GOV.UK

The series is derived from the EHS LA Stock Condition Modelling dataset and provides a time series from 2009/10 to 2024/25. The values represent the estimated share of homes that fall below the standard in each year. A lower percentage indicates better housing quality and a smaller proportion of non-decent homes.

Line chart showing the proportion of non-decent homes across the West of England and its constituent unitary authorities from 2009/10 to 2024/25. The regional line reflects a dwelling-weighted mean of the four authorities.

3.4 Energy Performance of Homes

Energy Performance of Homes
Proportion of homes with EPC rating of C or above
Latest value 53% (2026-07-31)
Previous value 52% (2026-06-30)
Change vs previous ↑ +0.1 ppt
First value 38% (2016-07-31)
Change since first ↑ +14.7 ppt
Observations 121
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator tracks the proportion of homes in the West of England with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above. A higher proportion indicates better energy efficiency and sustainability in the housing stock. Only about 70% of homes have an EPC, so this indicator is based on the subset of homes with an EPC, which may not be fully representative of all homes in the region. This dataset is from MHCLG and is based on the recently revised scheme for EPC.

Line chart showing the cumulative monthly proportion of homes in the West of England with an EPC energy rating of C or better, from 2016 to 2026. The y-axis shows percentage from 0% to 100%; the x-axis shows date. The line rises steadily from around 36% in 2016 to approximately 53% in 2026, showing consistent improvement but indicating that nearly half of assessed homes still fall below a C rating.

3.5 House Price to Earnings Ratio

House Price to Earnings Ratio
Ratio of median house price to median gross annual wage
Latest value 9 Ratio (2024-12-31)
Previous value 10 Ratio (2023-12-31)
Change vs previous ↓ -7.9%
First value 8 Ratio (2015-12-31)
Change since first ↑ +9.4%
Observations 10
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator tracks the ratio of median house prices to median gross annual workplace‑based earnings across the West of England. A higher ratio indicates that house prices are rising faster than local earnings, making homes less affordable for people working in the region. Because the measure uses workplace‑based earnings rather than residence‑based earnings, it reflects the affordability pressures faced by workers in each local authority.

The dataset is sourced from the ONS Housing Affordability Statistics, specifically the House price to workplace‑based earnings ratio (Table 5c). The ratio is calculated by dividing median house prices from Land Registry data by median full‑time earnings from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). While comprehensive, the dataset can be influenced by year‑to‑year volatility in earnings estimates, particularly in smaller labour markets.

Line chart showing the house price to earnings ratio for each unitary authority and the West of England average over the most recent ten years. The y-axis shows the ratio of median house price to median workplace-based earnings; higher values mean housing is less affordable relative to local wages.

3.6 Rental Affordability

Rental Affordability
Median monthly private rent (£)
Latest value 1,425 £ (2024-06-30)
Previous value 1,340 £ (2023-06-30)
Change vs previous ↑ +6.3%
First value 942 £ (2016-06-30)
Change since first ↑ +51.2%
Observations 9
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator reports median monthly private rents across the West of England. It provides a simple measure of rental costs faced by households in each local authority. Higher values indicate increased pressure on affordability, particularly for lower‑income renters and households without access to social housing.

The indicator draws on Valuation Office Agency (VOA) private rental market statistics. The WECA figure is calculated as a median across the four unitary authorities, providing a consistent regional view of rental market trends.

Line chart showing median monthly private rents for each unitary authority and the West of England total. Higher values indicate increased rental costs.

3.7 Temporary Accommodation

Households in Temporary Accomodation
Q4
Latest value 2,232 No. of households (2025-12-31)
Previous value 1,934 No. of households (2024-12-31)
Change vs previous ↑ +15.4%
First value 1,430 No. of households (2019-12-31)
Change since first ↑ +56.1%
Observations 7
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator reports the total number of households in temporary accommodation across the West of England, based on the Q4 statutory homelessness return submitted by each local authority. Temporary accommodation includes placements such as bed and breakfast hotels, hostels, nightly‑paid accommodation, and private sector leasing arrangements. Because the measure uses the Q4 snapshot, it provides a consistent annual reference point for monitoring changes in demand for temporary accommodation over time.

The dataset is sourced from the DLUHC Statutory Homelessness Statistics. These tables report the number of households accommodated under homelessness duties at the end of each quarter. While comprehensive, the data can be influenced by short‑term operational pressures, changes in the availability of suitable accommodation, and fluctuations in the number of households presenting with acute housing need.

Line chart showing the number of households in temporary accommodation at the Q4 snapshot for each unitary authority and the West of England median, across the full available time series. The y-axis shows household counts; rising lines indicate growing pressure on homelessness services.

3.8 Domestic CO₂ Emissions

Domestic CO₂ Emissions
DESNZ
Latest value 451 kilotonnes CO2e (2024-12-31)
Previous value 455 kilotonnes CO2e (2023-12-31)
Change vs previous ↓ -0.9%
First value 552 kilotonnes CO2e (2015-12-31)
Change since first ↓ -18.3%
Observations 10
Trend
Last updated 2026-08-27

Overview

This indicator tracks domestic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from homes in the West of England. Lower emissions indicate improved energy efficiency, reduced fossil‑fuel use, and progress towards decarbonising the residential sector. Domestic CO₂ reflects household energy consumption — primarily electricity and gas — and is influenced by insulation levels, heating systems, occupant behaviour, and the carbon intensity of the national electricity grid.

The dataset is sourced from the DESNZ Local Authority CO₂ Emissions Statistics These figures are reported on an end‑user basis, meaning emissions are allocated to the point of consumption rather than generation. While comprehensive, the dataset models some off‑grid fuels (such as heating oil) through the national greenhouse gas inventory, which may introduce uncertainty for rural areas with higher off‑grid usage.

Line chart showing annual domestic CO2 emissions in kilotonnes for each unitary authority and the summed West of England total over the most recent ten years. The y-axis shows kt CO2; falling lines indicate progress towards decarbonising the residential sector.