Subsidy Withdrawal Heavily Criticised

The coalition government’s decision to bring the curtain down on social housing has shocked senior figures across the sector and beyond. The move brings an end to 65 years of direct subsidy for social housing. Although there have been years when subsidy has been cut, and there have been policies such as the right to buy, which have reduced stock, the coalition government’s intention not to fund social housing is a first. Glen Bramley, professor of housing, planning and urban studies at Heriot-Watt University has carried out work for the CLG modelling housing need and looking at different funding regimes. He said he is not sure the government’s proposal will deliver the 150,000 affordable homes planned. Mr Bramley said: ‘This vision of social housing is off the wall. I don’t think it makes sense for them to push low-income benefit households into intermediate rents, it will make the poverty trap worse and seems to fly in the face of want the government says it wants to do.’ Read more on Inside Housing.