Government ‘Should Raise HRA’ So Councils Can Tackle Housing Crisis

Research by the New Local Government Network (NLGN) reveals affordable housing efforts would benefit from a reconsideration of the borrowing cap for local authorities. To NLGN, an increased capacity to borrow, among other measures, would give local authorities the autonomy to build housing where it is needed. The research, commissioned by the National Housing Federation, outlines the collaboration between local government and housing associations, who are committed to providing affordable housing in line with current demand.  Download the report from the NLGN website.

http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/Working_together_for_more_homes_full_report.pdf

Delivering Social Housing On A Budget

Between 2010 and 2015 local government faced upwards of £18bn in real terms cuts, losing on average 20% of its spending power. Meanwhile, social housing waiting lists are rising, local authorities are struggling to deliver their 5 year housing land supply and the Right to Buy uptake has overtaken the provision of new social housing. Faced with these problems, local authorities have increasingly turned to setting up arms-length commercial entities known as Housing Delivery Vehicles ("HDVs"). At their best, HDVs can allow public assets to be put to effective use to bring in revenue for struggling Councils and help to mitigate the housing crisis where there is a huge demand for affordable social housing that far outstrips supply. Read more on the Lexology website.

RTPI: Planning Reforms Are Hampering Housebuilding

More than half of planners surveyed by the Royal Town Planning Institute believe planning reforms have hindered the building of new homes. A report published today by the RTPI called Delivering the value of planning is heavily critical of what it calls the “almost continual changes in planning policy” over the last 30 years.  The report reveals 53% of 420 RTPI members to respond to an online survey think planning changes have hindered housing development, while 73% said they have “hindered their ability to deliver good places”. It said changes to policy, along with local government budget cuts, have limited the ability of planning authorities to ensure more and better development. Download the report from the RTPI website.

The Housing And Planning Act Is A Direct Attack On Local Government

Back in 2009, David Cameron said his party would give local councils much more power and responsibility. This agenda was the basis of the 2011 Localism Act. But those reforms have been shattered by the 2016 Housing and Planning Act. The end to lifetime council tenancies, the pay-to-stay rule increasing rents for council tenants earning more than £40,000, and provisions to force local authorities to sell off their high-value homes, will effectively kill off council housing. The extension of right-to-buy privileges to housing associations also threatens to cause a wider decline in affordable housing. But this is not just about housing. The new Act also has immediate implications for local democracy, by giving no fewer than 32 new powers to the secretary of state for housing. This means local authorities face further financial pressures and will lose vital powers once granted by the Localism Act. Read more on the Guardian website.