Our Challenge

Cambridgeshire is an extremely popular place to live and work. The economic success of Cambridge in particular has brought prosperity to the county, but growing numbers of inhabitants and commuters have increased demand for housing and placed a strain on the existing infrastructure. Addressing these twin imperatives, whilst also reducing our impact on the environment, is at the heart of Horizons' activities, and is a pre-requisite for continued economic growth.

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) has shown that years of soaring house prices, population growth and inward migration have resulted in fewer numbers of young people, key workers, and those on low incomes being able to get on to the property ladder. The current economic climate does not change this underlying demand for housing, and does not make the gap between income and house prices any more affordable for a large part of the population.

More people are commuting further than ever before and exacerbating congestion on roads like the A14. Access to affordable and social rented housing is also limited by the housing shortage.

Our challenge is to bring together the development of new homes, with new or upgraded infrastructure, services and facilities to create truly sustainable new communities. We want to create more opportunities for people to live in their own home - whether it is rented, owned or is shared equity - in a location of their choice.

Read more about how we plan to tackle the challenges of growth, and how affordable housing has already helped people access new homes.