Park homes could help solve the housing crisis
Park homes are becoming increasingly popular, yet almost no councils make provision for them in their local plans.
housing
Housing targets ‘advisory’
Housing targets will become an advisory starting point and councils will be given new powers to reject developments that significantly alter the character of an area or impinge on existing green belt.
Empty homes rise 10 per cent
The number of long-term empty homes in England has increased by nearly 10 per cent over the past five years – the equivalent of just over 1 per cent of the country’s housing stock, according to a new report from the LGA and the Empty Homes Network.
‘Record’ numbers in temporary accommodation
The number of households living in temporary accommodation in England rose 89 per cent over the past decade to 104,000 households at the end of March 2023 – the highest figures since records began in 1998.
Pressure remains on public services
The Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement on 22 November, setting out plans to support businesses and get more people into work, and to invest in infrastructure and levelling up.
New homes standards ‘could cost £18m’
Research by the LGA has found councils in England could face an extra £18 million to deal with new housing standards.
Concerns raised on homeless Afghans
The LGA and councils continue to raise significant concerns around Afghan families presenting as homeless, with thousands due to be evicted from hotels in late July and August.
Call for ‘step change’ in council housebuilding
Every area in England should be handed a new local housing deal by 2025 that combines funding from multiple national housing programmes into a single pot to spark a “generational step change” in council housebuilding.