Kent’s Housing Crisis Deepens as Population Grows: How the Green Party Plans to Deliver Affordable Homes for Tonbridge & Malling

Kent’s population has grown by almost a fifth in the last two decades, but housing stock has failed to keep pace, leaving thousands struggling to find affordable homes. According to the 2025 Kent Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), the county’s population has risen by 18% since 2004, with areas like Ashford, Maidstone, and Swale experiencing particularly high growth. Yet, housing stock has only increased by 9% in the last decade, creating a crisis that disproportionately affects young families, renters, and those on lower incomes.

The report highlights a stark reality: Kent faces a severe lack of affordable housing. Median house prices now sit at 8 to 14 times the median salary, depending on the area. In Sevenoaks, the most expensive part of the county, house prices are 14 times the average income. Meanwhile, over 26,000 households live in overcrowded conditions, and 3,597 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation across Kent and Medway.

The Green Party has long recognised the urgency of this crisis. Their Right Homes, Right Place, Right Price Charter sets out a clear plan to deliver genuinely affordable housing while protecting green spaces and reducing climate emissions. The charter calls for small, well-planned developments accompanied by investments in local health, transport, and services. It also mandates that all new homes meet Passivhaus or equivalent standards, ensuring they are energy-efficient and equipped with solar panels or heat pumps where appropriate.

Locally, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party councillors have been vocal advocates for innovative housing solutions. Cllr Mark Hood, representing Judd Ward, has repeatedly urged the borough council to take bold action. He highlighted the potential of repurposing derelict sites, such as the former Source of Sound nightclub on Avebury Avenue, to address the growing need for temporary accommodation. “The council needs to set up a housing company and fill the void that the housing market cannot fill,” Cllr Hood said.

The Green Party’s Fairer, Greener Homes Guarantee also promises significant investment in retrofitting existing homes to improve energy efficiency, reduce bills, and adapt to climate change. This includes a £29 billion investment over five years to insulate homes to EPC B standard or above, alongside £9 billion for low-carbon heating systems like heat pumps.

For renters, the Green Party’s Fair Deal for Renters proposes rent controls, an end to no-fault evictions, and a tenant’s right to demand energy efficiency improvements. These measures aim to provide security and affordability for the 20% of Kent households living in the private rented sector.

Tonbridge and Malling’s housing challenges are a microcosm of the wider crisis facing Kent. With young people priced out of the market and temporary accommodation costs soaring, the need for action has never been greater. The Green Party’s comprehensive approach offers a roadmap for delivering affordable, sustainable homes while addressing the root causes of the crisis.

As Cllr Hood and other Green Party councillors have emphasised, it’s time for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to step up and invest in solutions that benefit everyone. By embracing innovative ideas and prioritising community needs, we can create a borough where everyone has a warm, secure, and affordable place to call home.

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