Thinktank’s Affordable Housing Commission Issues Call For Evidence

The Smith Institute thinktank launched the Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) in October. The call for evidence comes after focus groups told the commission of their support for “radical” changes to the private rented sector. Housing organisations and individuals in the sector are being asked to give their views on how affordability issues could be addressed. The commission has identified four groups it wants to help through its final recommendations: struggling renters, frustrated homeowners, people reliant on state support and older people facing affordability problems with their homes. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/thinktanks-affordable-housing-commission-issues-call-for-evidence-60174?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60

DECC Demands Evidence of Green Deal's Impact on UK Housing

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has asked for evidence of the actual in-situ performance of energy efficiency measures available to UK housing under the Green Deal and Energy Companies Obligation (ECO).  Organisations procuring and delivering Green Deal and ECO measures are being asked to share their research findings and reports. Property stock holders, the wider housing industry, trade bodies, manufacturers, academic and research organisations are all being asked to contribute to the call for evidence. Read more on 24dash.

Homelessness Costs Government 'Millions'

Councils in England spend nearly £345 million on homelessness a year, a CLG paper reveals.  Local authorities spend around £100 million on temporary accommodation and £70 million on homelessness prevention, according to 2010/11 forms English councils returned to CLG on housing services revenue.  The department has highlighted the costs of homelessness in an evidence review which is a basis for further research and analysis on the financial cost of homelessness.  It also points to a Department of Health 2010 study that suggests the cost of homelessness to the NHS is £64 million a year, with homeless people 3.2 times more likely than the general population to be an inpatient admission.  Although, it notes, the health figures only cover hospital admissions and accident emergency attendances which are ‘likely to represent only a small fraction of the total costs to health services’.  Download a copy of the review from the CLG website.

Evidence Review of the Costs of Homelessness

The CLG has issued a paper intended to provide an initial overview of evidence held by government and other organisations, including that already published, of the magnitude of financial costs to government from homelessness. The paper describes the evidence currently available, with the aim of providing a basis for further research and analysis.  Download a copy from the CLG website.