Although the last 12 months have been a year like no other, Dorset Council says it has exceeded its target for providing new-build affordable housing in the county.

This is despite the fact that building sites were restricted and materials in short supply at times.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety said: “This is an impressive achievement in what has been a very difficult year for everyone. With many people furloughed during the pandemic, this result shows that by working together, we can still achieve our goals of providing genuine affordable housing.

“Dorset is a beautiful county, but house prices are often almost ten times the average salary, meaning many people here can’t afford to buy their own home. By continuing to work with our partners to provide the right types of homes, for example shared ownership properties, at a price people can afford, this is a great result for the residents of Dorset who need these houses.”

Dorset currently has over 6,000 households on the housing register, and over 300 households in temporary accommodation.

The council is currently working up a new Housing Strategy which will identify where there are gaps or mismatches in the type of housing, or housing related services.