Community-Led Housing Could Increase Housing Supply

The Housing Commission on Community-Led Housing is launching its report, ‘Community-Led Housing: a Key Role for Local Authorities’. Set up by the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network, the commission’s practical approach is aimed at promoting good practice and innovation to enable councils to work with communities to generate more affordable housing and make best use of government funding for community-led housing. The report is timely because of DCLG’s relaunched Community Housing Fund in England and funding for community-led housing provided by the Welsh and Scottish governments. Download the report from the Housing LIN website.

https://www.housinglin.org.uk/_assets/Resources/Housing/OtherOrganisation/Community_Led_housing_Report_2017.pdf

Tories Drop Two Flagship Housing Policies From Key Strategy Document

Two of the Conservatives’ flagship housing policies have been dropped from a key government document, raising questions about the future of the plans. The new “single departmental plan” published by the CLG does not include a single reference to Starter Homes, which form a central plank of the Government’s commitment to increase home ownership, or of the planned extension of Right to Buy. The document, which forms part of the guidance for civil servants working on housing, is in stark contrast to the previous plan published last year, in which the two policies featured prominently and were mentioned several times as part of the Conservatives’ housing strategy. Read more on the Independent website.

Homelessness In England Rises By 75% Among Vulnerable Groups

Homelessness among people with mental and physical health problems has increased by around 75% since the Conservatives came to power in 2010, and there has been a similar rise in the number of families with dependent children who are classed as homeless. According to official figures collated by the CLG, the number of homeless households in England identified by councils as priority cases because they contain someone who is classed as vulnerable because of their mental illness, has risen from 3,200 in 2010 to 5,470 this year. Over the same period, the number of families with dependent children – another priority homeless group identified by councils – has increased from 22,950 to 40,130. Download the figures from the CLG website.

Government ‘Unacceptably Complacent’ In Tackling Homelessness

The cross-party committee of MPs said the CLG’s “limited action” has “lacked the urgency that is so badly needed and its ‘light touch’ approach to working with the local authorities has clearly failed”. The PAC said the CLG is placing “great reliance” on the Homelessness Reduction Act, which comes into force in April next year, to provide the solution to homelessness and while this legislation “will no doubt help”, it cannot be successful unless the government also increases housing supply and makes homes more affordable. The latest government statistics showed there are 79,190 households in temporary accommodation, a 65% jump since 2010. Read more on Inside Housing.

Homelessness Up 65% Since 2010

Official statistics show that 79,190 households were in temporary accommodation on 30 September 2017, including 121,360 homeless children. That is a 6% rise in the number of households in temporary accommodation from the same date in 2016, and the highest level since 31 December 2007 – before the economic crash. It also indicates homelessness has risen 65% since the low of 48,010 at the end of 2010. Of those in temporary accommodation, 11,800 households had shared facilities, with 6,400 in B&Bs including 2,660 families with children. Download the statistics from the CLG website.

Government’s Own Figures Add Up To Councils Keeping RTB Receipts

CIH is citing the government’s own figures add up to councils keeping all right to buy receipts to build affordable homes – rather than being forced to hand over a proportion to the Treasury. Figures newly released by the CLG show 2,558 homes were sold by councils through the right to buy scheme in England in July to September 2017, while only 744 were started or acquired to replace them using the receipts. Since right to buy discounts were increased in April 2012, 60,423 homes have been sold, while only 14,736 have been started or acquired to replace them. Read more on the CIH website.

Lowest Number Of Grant-Funded Social Rented Homes Built On Record

Fewer homes for social rent were completed between April and September this year with grant funding than in any comparable period on record, according to statistics from the CLG. Figures on affordable housing funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and the Greater London Authority show that 199 homes were built for social rent in the period, slightly down from 241 in the same period last year.  The number of affordable housing completions funded by both bodies over the period in total increased slightly to 10,704, compared to 9,079 in the same period last year. This was driven by an increase in affordable rented housing and a significant increase in affordable home ownership. Download the figures from the HCA website.

Association Right To Buy Sales Up 18%

Figures released by the CLG revealed that in a year which included a minor pilot of the Voluntary Right to Buy, 4,694 social homes were sold under Right to Buy, up from 3,977 in the previous year, an 18% increase. Previously, housing associations were only subject to Right to Buy on some stock transferred from local authorities, but a pilot this year of a landmark government proposal to extend the Right to Buy to association tenants, which saw 972 tenants purchase homes. Overall, 23,186 social homes were sold in 2016/17, which contributed in part towards explaining why the net figure for new social housing was so low last year. Read more on Inside Housing.

Social Housing Sales Up For Councils And Associations

Over 23,000 social housing units were sold in 2016-17, latest government figures show. Released by the CLG the stats show 23,186 sales of social housing homes overall – 13,652 by local authorities and 9,534 by housing associations. The sales amount to 0.6% of the total stock of 4 million social houses. Between 2015-16 and 2016-17, local authority sales increased by 9% and association sales were up 1%. The association increase was due primarily to increased preserved Right to Buy sales. Download the figures from the CLG website.

Affordable Housing Completions Up 27%

Affordable housing completions rose 27% in England last year, with the increase driven by new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership. The numbers include all homes for social rent, affordable rent, intermediate rent, affordable homeownership and shared ownership. Last year’s figure of 32,630 represented a low point in recent years and despite this year’s rise it is still the second-lowest level of overall delivery since 2004/5. Social rent completions dropped 21%, down to 5,380 in 2016/17 from 6,800 the previous year. Numbers of affordable rent completions rose 47% from 16,550 up to 24,350, while shared ownership deliveries more than doubled from 4,080 up to 8,810. Download the figures from the CLG website.

Government Seeks To Improve Social Housing Access For Domestic Abuse Victims

The government has launched a consultation on new guidance for councils on how to help victims of domestic abuse access social housing. Under the guidance, local authorities would be told to prioritise domestic abuse victims in refuges for social housing. It also stresses that victims who have fled to other parts of the country to escape abuse should not be disadvantaged by allocations systems, building on advice in the existing guidelines.  Download the consultation from the CLG website.

Government Actions A Further Step In Homeless Prevention

New guidance to make sure local authorities intervene earlier to help prevent families and individuals becoming homeless in the first place has been published. The guidance, which is subject to an 8-week consultation, sets out how local councils should implement the Homelessness Reduction Act, due to come into effect in April 2018. The new Act requires councils to provide services to all at risk of becoming homeless, on top of those with a priority need such as families with children and those who are vulnerable. Read more on the CLG website.

Right To Buy Sales Drop Off

There were 2,601 homes sold between April and June this year, a 23% drop from the 3,382 sold in the same three months in 2016. However, a number of councils with large numbers of homes did not report their sales figures. The CLG estimated these councils had around 350 sales between them taking the total sold to 2,951 – a 13% drop on last year. London councils sold an estimated 503 homes – a steep 45% drop from the 921 sold in the same period last year. The proportion of sales in London has decreased over the past year, with only 19% of total sales coming from London compared to 27% last year. Download the figures from the CLG website.

Government Confirms 25,000 Homes Figure Is ‘An Estimate’

Recently, the government briefed journalists that the £2bn could pay for 25,000 social rented homes over five years. Now, a CLG spokesperson has said this was just an estimate. The exact number will depend on the bids that are submitted by councils and housing associations. The money will likely fund a number of affordable rented homes and properties at other tenures as well. Social rented homes require a higher subsidy than affordable rented homes, so if a provider bids to build affordable rented homes they could build more homes overall. The £2bn funding will be focused on “supporting council housebuilding and housing associations in areas of greatest need”. Read more on Inside Housing.

Right To Buy Stopped Us Bidding For Build Grant

Only six London councils bid for the mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme this year, an analysis of CLG and mayor of London data has revealed. Most which did not bid said they were put off by the government’s restrictions on how they can use the cash they raise from selling homes to residents under the Right to Buy. Fourteen councils bid for Boris Johnson’s equivalent programme in 2014, but the accumulation of more Right to Buy receipts since then has made it harder for councils to accommodate grant funding, which they are forbidden to combine with the receipts. Read more on Inside Housing.

Help To Buy Supports Over 320,000 People In Buying Their Own Home

The government’s Help to Buy schemes have continued their success, supporting over 320,000 people across the UK to buy a home. Over 1 million Help to Buy: ISAs have now been opened by first time buyers, offering government bonuses of up to £3,000 towards the cost of a first home.

Statistics show that:

·         over 320,000 completions have taken place using one or more of the Help to Buy schemes

·         over 275,000 first time buyers are now on the housing ladder thanks to Help to Buy

·         the average house price across the schemes is £196,092, below the average UK house price

·         over 90% of completions across the Help to Buy schemes have taken place outside of London

Read more on the CLG website.

Households In Temporary Accommodation Up Again

Latest figures from the CLG show that 78,180 households were living in temporary accommodation on 30 June 2017 (these households included 120,170 children or expected children). This is up 7% on a year earlier, and up 63% on the low of 48,010 at 31 December 2010.  Between 1 April and 30 June 2017 local authorities accepted 14,400 households as being statutorily homeless - i.e. households owed a statutory duty to secure accommodation as a result of being unintentionally homeless and deemed to be in priority need. This was down by 1% on the previous quarter and down 5% on the same quarter last year. Local authorities also took action to prevent and relieve some 54,270 households between 1 April and 30 June 2017. Read more on the ARCH website.

Households In Temporary Accommodation Up Again

Latest figures from the CLG show that 78,180 households were living in temporary accommodation on 30 June 2017 (these households included 120,170 children or expected children). This is up 7% on a year earlier, and up 63% on the low of 48,010 at 31 December 2010. Between 1 April and 30 June 2017 local authorities accepted 14,400 households as being statutorily homeless - i.e. households owed a statutory duty to secure accommodation as a result of being unintentionally homeless and deemed to be in priority need. This was down by 1% on the previous quarter and down 5% on the same quarter last year. Read more on the ARCH website.

Eight Key Findings From The English Housing Survey

The English Housing Survey, commissioned by the CLG, has taken place. Here are the key points to consider.

·         There are an estimated 22.8 million households in England.

·         The private rented sector has had the biggest increase.

·         The proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds renting privately has nearly doubled

·         Private renters move around the most

·         Nearly three-quarters of private renters (73pc) ended their last tenancy

·         Most (89pc) homes have at least one working smoke alarm

·         More than a quarter (28pc) of private rented homes failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard

·         A majority (59pc) of private renters expect to buy at some point

Read more on the Daily Telegraph website.

Planning For The Right Homes In The Right Places

The Government has launched its consultation Planning for the right homes in the right places. This builds on some of the proposals in the Housing White Paper and seeks views on changes to national planning policy to help local planning authorities and communities plan for and deliver the homes they need, including:

·         A standard method for calculating local housing need

·         Improving how authorities work together to meet housing need

·         How the new approach to calculating housing need can help authorities plan for the needs of particular groups

·         Proposals for improving the use of section 106 agreements

Download the consultation form the CLG website.