Pledge by councillors to build new council homes
- 15 Nov
A survey has found that 93% of England's lead councillors on housing want to build new council homes.
However research by the Smith Institute found that only 10% actually plan to build more than 1,000 homes over the next ten years and 75% of councillors said they would borrow to build new housing if the government lifted the debt cap.
From the survey it was found that councillors do plan to build new homes under the revenue account and new build council housing was also indicated as a main investment priority by 60%. 64% said that building social housing is a top priority. Over the next ten years 43% of councillors are planning to build between 101-500 homes.
Almost 40% have said that their HRA plans would not make up for their loss of stock however 37% said that it would provide additional new homes. 81% of councillors felt pressure to keep rents low and 64% said they would make use of "affordable rent", reports 24dash.
Paul Hackett, director of the Smith Institute, said: "The survey shows widespread support for a renaissance in council housing, and an appetite among larger local authorities to borrow to build under the new HRA system. Investing in new council housing could help solve the nation's housing crisis."
Lord Larry Whitty, chair of Housing Voice, said: "There is a chronic shortage of supply in all parts of the affordable housing market. We should see councils who have retained their own housing stock make a major contribution to new build. This survey shows that in many cases there is a strong commitment to expanding council housing - but that substantial barriers need to be overcome, some innovative solutions need to be developed, and that central government needs to change its view."
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Urgent government action is needed to deliver more homes. Whilst 93% of councillors are saying they want to build, something is drastically wrong when only 10% have plans to build more than 1000 homes over the next ten years. Government cuts to local councils are having a direct impact on their ability to build more homes.
There is a shortage of housing and targets for new housebuilding are not being met. In all regions availability is not keeping up with demand, which is creating an upward pressure on housing costs. A large and determined building programme would help boost our bottomed-out economy by creating tens of thousands of jobs, stimulating economic activity and providing the homes the country so desperately needs."
Related articles
- 02 Nov
THE ONS PLANS TO CHANGE THEIR DECISION TO MAKE HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS PUBLIC BODIES
According to reports by 24 Housing, the ONS said the following:Gavin Smart, Chartered Institute of Housing's deputy chief executive also said:"Although we have been expecting this decision for some...
- 30 Aug
RECENT ANALYSIS FINDS THAT THE HELP TO BUY SCHEME HAS ADDED TO THE INFLATION OF HOUSE PRICES
The analysis of the Help to Buy Scheme revealed the following:The chief executive of Paradigm Housing Group, Matthew Bailes, said:" ... clearly, it worked well for developers, and for providers, it...
- 22 Aug
A NORTH WALES COUNCIL REVEALED THEIR WAITING LIST FOR NEW HOMES HAS REACHED BREAKING POINT
The north Wales Council revealed their waiting list for new homes has reached "breaking point".According to Clare Budden, Flintshire Council's community enterprise chief officer said:"There are...
- 17 Aug
HOMELESSNESS POLICY IS UNDER REVIEW IN A NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Kettering Borough Council has amended its letters to homeless residents to let them know of their right to request a temporary accommodation review.According to an ombudsman, Michael King:"People in...
- 15 Aug
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS HAVE CAUSED THE CLOSURE OF MANY CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES
Local Government Association (LGA) made the following findings:Chair of the LGA's children and young people board, Richard Watts, said: "The reality is that services for the care and protection of...
- 11 Aug
RESIDENTS OF BUILDINGS IN LEDBURY ESTATE, SOUTHWARK, SOUTH LONDON WILL BE MOVED OUT TEMPORARILY
The buildings in Ledbury Estate in Southwark have been constructed in a similar way to Ronan Point, a tower block in Newham which collapsed in 1968 as a result of a gas explosion, killing three. An...
- 10 Aug
THERE IS A DECLINE IN THE HOUSING MARKET IN LONDON AND OTHER PARTS OF THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) made the following findings:Chief Economist at Rics, Simon Rubinsohn:"Sales activity in the housing market has been slipping in the recent month...
- 07 Aug
REPORT FINDS THAT PEOPLE ARE INTENSELY SUFFERING FROM LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOMES IN SCOTLAND
According to the report by "Shelter":Shelter's deputy director, Alison Watson, said:"This report shows the disproportionate impact of Scotland's housing crisis on young people and private renters who...
- 02 Aug
NEW REPORT BY THE PUBLIC ACCOUNT COMMITTEE IN WALES COMMENDS HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
The report which was put together after nine months of inquiries stated the following:Nick Ramsey, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said:"Generally, we found governance and regulation within...
- 31 Jul
LONDON COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE MEASURES TO END LETTING FEES FOR PRIVATE RENTERS
The London council say urgent action is needed because the government has not provided "a clear timescale to introduce its own measure", Letting Agent Today, reports.Last year, the government had...
How to Fund Housing Support and Social Care Sevices Extremely informative, excellent speaker. Alison Halstead - Riverside ECHG
