Social housing finances ‘impacting housebuilding’
The financial strain on social housing across England could lead to government housebuilding targets not being met, according to a new LGA survey.
The financial strain on social housing across England could lead to government housebuilding targets not being met, according to a new LGA survey.
Changes in the allocation of the Homelessness Prevention Grant mean that councils are facing a £76 million shortfall in their temporary accommodation budgets, the LGA has warned.
Tough new rules on construction product safety, a new single construction regulator, and stronger protections for social housing tenants are among the building and fire safety reforms set out by the Government in its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
More than 1.4 million homes with planning permission have been left unbuilt by developers since 2007, according to a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research thinktank.
The Government continues to deliver on its flagship commitment to construct 1.5 million new homes within this Parliament, having set out to bolster resources, streamline decision-making and promote local growth with an expansive package of housing interventions that will empower local areas and accelerate delivery of high-quality homes.
The Government should go further with reforming Right to Buy to give local authorities more flexibility and control over how the scheme operates locally, the LGA has said.
Nearly 250 local authorities and registered providers have signed up to the Section 106 Affordable Housing Clearing Service since we launched it in late 2024, with the help of sector partners. They join 80 housebuilders, and counting.
Councils must meet new mandatory housing targets as part of government plans to build 1.5 million homes by the next general election.
Office-to-residential conversions under permitted development have led to the loss of 23,990 affordable homes in the past decade, according to LGA analysis of official data.
The Government has temporarily extended the ‘move on’ period – the time between an asylum seeker receiving a decision on their application and having to leave Home Office-funded accommodation – from 28 days to 56 days.