Housing Infrastructure Fund Disadvantages Northern Areas

The government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) is benefiting Southern areas at the expense of the North of England. As a result of a new formula applied to the funding that channels money more towards areas of ‘high affordability’, Northern local authorities have access to a far smaller pot when compared with Southern authorities. Inside Housing has collated information from all the authorities that have applied for money from the fund, which aims to build infrastructure to unlock the delivery of new homes, and applied the MHCLG formula for geographical targeting. This formula is intended to ensure that government funds go to the least affordable areas of the country. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/housing-infrastructure-fund-disadvantages-northern-areas-62879

House Prices: Signs Of New North-South Divide In UK Market Emerge

A new north-south property divide is emerging in the UK ahead of the festive season, with people selling second-stepper homes in the north of England standing the best chance of finding a buyer by Christmas, according to Rightmove. Those selling more expensive “top of the ladder” properties in London and the south of England have the least chance, the property website said in its latest house prices report. Asking prices for homes coming to the market in England and Wales rose 1.1% to £313,435 in the four weeks to 7 October, following a 1.2% drop the previous month. Prices rose in eight out of 10 regions, the exceptions being Yorkshire and Humber and east Midlands. Read more on the Rightmove website.

Growing North-South Divide over Impact of Welfare Reforms

A new survey by three national council housing organisations, which together represent over 1.3 million council properties, has discovered a growing north-south divide over the impact of welfare reforms. The survey found that tenants in the North of England are more likely to be affected by the bedroom tax (13% compared to 5% in London) and also to be in rent arrears (7% compared to 2% in the capital).  Although nationally the percentage of households in rent arrears and the percentage of tenants affected by the under-occupation penalty and in arrears are falling, the north of England is experiencing worse outcomes compared to other regions.  Read more on the Housing Excellence website.