40% Of Councils Say They Cannot Meet Government Rough Sleeping Targets

Government targets for rough sleeping will not be met, according to a New Local Government Network (NLGN) report. The Leadership Index found that 41% of councils think they cannot eradicate rough sleeping by 2027, with a further 26% stating they are unlikely or very unlikely to halve rough sleeping by 2022. In reports, focus turns to that of urban (London and Metropolitan Boroughs) councils, with a rise in figures revealing 61% think they are unlikely to eradicate rough sleeping by 2027, with 38% saying they are unable to halve it by 2022. Read more on the NLGN website.

http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/2019/uncomfortable-home-truths-revealed-by-nlgns-latest-leadership-index/

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

Building New Council Homes 'Cheaper Than Housing Londoners in B&Bs'

Building new homes for social rent across 10 London boroughs would be cheaper than housing people in B&Bs and temporary accommodation, a new report has found. Analysis by the New Local Government Network (NLGN), finds that if all the families in temporary accommodation across 10 London boroughs were to have new housing built for them, there could be close to 10,000 new units netting the Government savings of £56m per year. It also wants the Government to add its cash into the pot - which the NLGN says would not affect savings - to ensure the new homes could be let at social rents. As ministers prepare to cap the amount of housing benefit families can receive – potentially leaving 64,000 people who currently reside in London unable to afford to continue living there – NLGN calls for the government to examine new house building as a partial alternative. Download a copy of the report from the NLGN website.

Going Dutch: Local Government and Fuel Poverty

A new White Paper from localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) suggests that by following a model of bulk purchasing from energy providers recently launched in The Netherlands, councils can create significant savings for their residents. The innovation undertaken earlier this year by a Dutch organisation, Met de Stroom Mee, yielded a 20% saving in energy costs for households. If councils imitate this model in the UK, even a 10% equivalent efficiency would result in a £125 reduction in costs to consumers. The media reports in recent weeks that more households in the UK could be dragged into fuel poverty over the coming years, highlights the need for more effective measures to reduce energy costs for consumers. The report, ‘Going Dutch’, suggests that a local authority advocating on behalf of a group of citizens can result in drastic reductions in costs to consumers. Download a copy of the report from the NLGN website.

Funding Cuts May Undermine Localism Bill

Local government funding cuts could undermine the objectives of the Localism Bill, a think tank has warned. The government has published details of local government finance settlements along with the Localism and Decentralisation Bill. But the New Local Government Network has described it as ‘a real disappointment to communities’. ‘If you are a council facing frontloaded cuts of up to 40 per cent, then greater freedom in how you spend it means little but a devolved axe,’ it said. Read more on Inside Housing.

Efficiency Scheme Could Miss Social Housing

Social housing tenants could be left in fuel poverty unless the government’s Green Deal is expanded, a report has suggested. The New Local Government Network has published a report suggesting the flagship programme will be in danger of failing to reach the households most in need of more energy efficient homes across the social housing sector. The Green Deal allows households to install home energy efficiency improvements with a value of up to £6,500 at no upfront cost, with the cost paid back by the householder over a period of 25 years. But the report says for many of the 1.4 million social homes classified as ‘hard to treat’, the efficiency measures would cost more than would be saved. NLGN’s research also raises concerns about whether those in fuel poverty would be helped by the scheme. Read the full story on Inside Housing.

Report Calls For Subletting To Be A Criminal Offence

The unlawful subletting of council homes should be made a criminal offence on a par with benefit fraud, according to a think tank. The New Local Government Network (NLGN) says subletting should be upgraded from a civil to a criminal offence, allowing authorities to prosecute for fraud. People convicted could also be ordered to pay back the value of benefits that have been fraudulently claimed under the proposals. The suggestions are made in a report, Don’t Let On: new measures to help tackle unlawful subletting. Read more on the NLGN website.