West Midlands To Overhaul Affordable Housing Definition By Linking Rent To Average Salaries

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced plans to overhaul its definition of affordable housing by linking rents and mortgages to salaries rather than to local house prices and rent rates. The WMCA said that homeownership could be in the reach of thousands more people under its new plan, which would ensure local people pay no more than 35% of their salary on mortgages and rents for affordable properties. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/west-midlands-to-overhaul-affordable-housing-definition-by-linking-rent-to-average-salaries-64941?utm_source=Ocean%20Media%20Group&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11284870_IH-DAILY-5-2-2020-GR&dm_i=1HH2,6PVGM,8CKJV9,QTNU5,1

Government Hiding Behind ‘Meaningless’ Definitions Of Affordable Housing

Government is hiding behind “frankly meaningless” definitions of affordable housing and inflated housebuilding stats to avoid the hard realities of the housing crisis, the Commons has heard. Members debating the future for the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) heard Labour’s Liam Byrne say of his Birmingham constituency: “I am not prepared to live in a city where we have cranes in the sky, but homeless people dying in the doorways – we need an emergency response to this moral emergency.” During the debate, DWP minister Will Quince surprised some in saying discretionary housing payments were “not necessarily” temporary. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/government-hiding-behind-meaningless-definitions-of-affordable-housing/

Government Restores ‘Social Rent’ To Definition Of Affordable Housing

The government has restored the term ‘social rent’ to the definition of affordable housing in its national planning rulebook after housing and council bodies voiced concerns.  The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) now lists homes for rent “set in accordance with the government’s rent policy for social rent or affordable rent, or is at least 20% below local market rents” as one of several acceptable forms of affordable housing. A draft version of the updated NPPF published in March had removed reference to “social rent” while adding mention of Starter Homes and build-to-rent. Read more on Inside Housing.

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Action Needs To Combat 'Historic Low' Social Housing Numbers

The definition of “affordable housing” must include homes for social rent in forthcoming government changes to planning policy to tackle the historic low numbers of social rented homes across the country according to the Local Government Association. The LGA warns that homes specifically for social rent are at risk of being eliminated after a revision to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) dropped the reference to “social rent” homes from the Government’s definition of affordable homes, whilst including Starter Homes and other, less genuinely affordable, forms of housing. It comes amid an already “unprecedented shortage” in affordable housing with the supply of homes for social rent, which provides secure tenancies on low rents, at a historic low. Read more on the LGA website.

https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/action-needs-combat-historic-low-social-housing-numbers

Concern Over Plan To Drop Social Rent From Official Definition Of Affordable Housing

The proposed revision National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) drops reference to ‘social rent’ from its glossary definition of affordable housing – but adds the mention of Starter Homes and build-to-rent. In its response to a consultation on the draft document, the National Housing Federation (NHF) said: “The removal of the term ‘social rent’ is worrying. “While the revised definition can be interpreted to include social rent, we believe the term should be explicitly retained.” It added that Starter Homes should not be included in the definition and branded mention of build-to-rent as “confusing”. Read more on Inside Housing.

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Whitehall Must Reform ‘Viability Tests’, Campaigners Say

The Government must amend the definition of ‘affordable housing’ and change its approach to viability testing in its updated planning framework, campaigners say. Two organisations have called on Whitehall to ‘clarify and strengthen’ its commitment to delivering affordable housing by amending the definition and reforming the viability test. The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) have made the call ahead of the publication next week of the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). New research from the TCPA and APSE found 60% of councils said the viability test had ‘hindered’ their ability to secure affordable housing in their local areas. Read more on the Local Gov website.

https://www.localgov.co.uk/Whitehall-must-reform-viability-tests-campaigners-say/44833

Statistics Watchdog Warns Government Over Homelessness Figures

The government’s official statistics body has told the CLG to stop using potentially misleading figures for homelessness, and said it would monitor its future statements on the issue. The intervention by the UK Statistics Authority came after the CLG claimed in a series of press briefings late last year that homelessness was at less than half its 2003 peak. The briefings did not make clear that this only referred to the statutory definition of homelessness – a relatively narrow meaning which only includes people local authorities are obliged to assist – and does not take into account those given assistance under homelessness prevention and relief schemes. Read more on the Guardian website.

Government To Change Definitions Of ‘Affordable’

The government’s White Paper has revealed there will be changes to the definition of the word affordable. In the document, the government say they “intend to publish a revised definition of affordable housing as part of our revised changes to the National Planning Policy Framework”. They have also stated there will be an introduction of  “a definition of affordable private rented housing” looking at forms of affordable housing such as Build to Rent Schemes. The government will also ensure there is a three year minimum tenancy in new private rented sector accommodation. The plans look to provide families and those saving for a deposit the reassurance to save. Read more on 24housing.

Defining The Problem: How Do We Count Britain's Homeless?

For the thousands of people who are sleeping on the streets or are in temporary accommodation, winter is one of the hardest times of the year. Being able to provide relief during this period depends, at least in part, on understanding how many people are affected by homelessness – and who they are. In the UK, a person is legally defined as homeless if they have accommodation but can’t reasonably be expected to occupy it, or if they don’t have any accommodation at all. But the first thing to know is that there’s a big difference between the number of people who the state recognises as homeless and how many people actually are. This is known as the distinction between the “statutory” homeless, and the “non-statutory” or “single” homeless.  Read more on the City Metric website.

Goldsmith Slams Tory Definition Of £450,000 Homes As 'Affordable'

Zac Goldsmith signalled a split in the Tory ranks over housing policy today, slamming the party's outrageous new definition of 'affordable homes.' The London mayoral hopeful said: "Legally an 'affordable home' is a 20% discount. But in the real world a 20% discount on a £600,000 home in Primrose Hill is not an affordable house to the vast majority of people. " It follows the Tory attempt to redefine "affordable homes", which currently applies to homes available to rent to people who can't afford market rates. But the new housing bill being pushed through parliament by David Cameron and George Osborne, broadens the definition to include so-called 'starter homes' on sale for up to £450,000 to first-time buyers. Read more on the Daily Mirror website.

Housing And Planning Bill Reveals How Little Tory MPs Think Of The Public

While the nation’s eyes have been fixed firmly on the Junior Doctors Strike, the Tories have managed to pull-off a seismic coup de grâce under the radar – the “Housing and Planning Bill” has been passed, by 309 to 216. The whole passage of this bill has been nothing short of disgraceful. The first part of the Reading Stage was originally scheduled for a 3.30pm start. Proceedings didn't kick off until nearly 9pm and wound-up at an eye-watering 2am. 65 pages of new clauses and amendments had been cunningly added at the last minute - with no discussion at committee level, which is standard procedure. Some of the more worrying points included the Secretary of State being awarded carte blanche to interfere in the market and set the definition of what is an “affordable” home and privatisation of the planning process. Read more on the Independent website.