Housing Market Is Playing ‘A Major Part In Building And Sustaining An Economic Recovery’

The important contribution that the housing market makes to the UK economy should not be underestimated. While there is no single source of data providing comprehensive information about the total economic impact of a housing transaction, fresh analysis from Knight Frank, produced in partnership with the Home Builders Federation (HBF), attempts to quantify that figure. It shows that for every resales housing transaction that takes place the economy benefits by around £9,559 on average. Scaling that figure up means that for every 100,000 housing transactions, there is a net impact of almost £1bn. In addition, more than 11,500 jobs are supported either directly or indirectly by these transactions. Read more on the Property Industry Eye website.

https://propertyindustryeye.com/the-housing-market-is-playing-a-major-part-in-building-and-sustaining-an-economic-recovery/ 

Britain’s Rural Housing Crisis

There is a major housing crisis in rural England. Allowing people to live close to where they work is critical in rural areas, where public transport links are often poor or non-existent. Without access to housing – especially housing suitable for younger people – rural businesses will struggle to attract quality employees. The crisis holds back economic development, as well as community well-being. Traditionally council houses and housing associations have provided affordable housing. But in villages of fewer than 3,000 people these now represent only 8 per cent of the housing stock (compared to around 20 per cent in urban areas). It is vital that this stock of houses is protected – and the government’s proposed extension of Right to Buy places them at serious risk. Read more on the City Metric website.

'Social Landlords Should Deliver the Work Programme'

A new report has called on policy-makers to hand power to local community intermediaries such as social landlords and voluntary organisations to determine and deliver the range of employment-related services within their communities. Think tank ResPublica's 'Responsible Recovery: A social contract for local growth' argues that the ‘community right to challenge’ should be extended to welfare and employment services in order to "save" the Government’s welfare reform agenda.  The report calls upon housing associations to use their assets for wider neighbourhood benefit, engage in active partnerships around community budgeting, and support and facilitate asset transfers and devolved services, including employment and training support.  Download a copy of the report from the ResPublica website.