Housing
Getting on with integrated care
Greater Manchester believes the formal governance of the new integrated care system and the voice of place within it will be fundamental to its future success in narrowing health inequalities, says Tom Stannard.
Let’s work together on the most important agenda of our time
Paul O'Brien says policy on permitted development rights 'continues to work against a co-ordinated approach at local level on reshaping place and making developers contribute to this process'.
Housing First is not the only solution to homelessness
Closing good quality, short-term supported housing in favour of Housing First would reduce significantly the number of people councils could support, says Lee Buss-Blair.
Gove criticises social housing landlord after ‘severe maladministration’ finding
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has criticised England's largest social housing landlord after an investigation found it was guilty of ‘severe maladministration’.
Home Office rejects Grenfell Inquiry safety recommendation
The Government has rejected a recommendation that would require owners of high-rise buildings to prepare emergency evacuation plans for disabled residents.
MJ Housing: Sector speculates as Gove stands firm over housing
Despite bold pledges over the housing crisis, Michael Gove has accepted progress will not be as fast as originally planned. The levelling up secretary wants to build more homes – but only while involving local communities behind the developments, leading to some skepticism. Heather Jameson reports
MJ Housing: Creating homes that help the climate crisis
If we are to tackle the climate crisis, we need to start with homes. Simon Hourihan explains some of the research being carried out to make developments more sustainable in the future
‘Challenge accepted’
Paul Bingham discusses how Birmingham City Council embraced its housing challenges with bold obligation
A Queen’s Speech without jewels
Councils are at the forefront of demand when people pushed into poverty seek their support, writes Mo Baines. But she says the Queen’s Speech failed to embrace the role of councils by offering practical measures that would help residents.
Arithmetic matters
The new director of IPPR North, Zoë Billingham, speaks to Ann McGauran about taking on the role at a time of political and economic turmoil, and gives her verdict on how the Government’s flagship levelling up policy is shaping up.
Clause 16 could 'emasculate' districts
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill 'makes unacceptable provision to transfer district functions to a county combined authority by regulations', says Ian Miller. The 'howling gap' is the lack of requirement for districts' consent, he adds.
Social housing Bill 'imminent'
Housing minister Eddie Hughes this week insisted the Government would bring forward a social housing Bill ‘as quickly as possible’ as he apologised for delays.
Likely rent rises are ‘ticking time bomb’
Social housing rents could rise by up to 10% next April as tenants face a battle to survive the cost of living crisis.
Social landlord faces wide-ranging probe
The UK’s largest social landlord faces a wide-ranging investigation into its handling of residents’ complaints after a watchdog reported ‘severe maladministration’ in a high-profile case.
Gove ditches 300,000 homes target
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has ditched his targets to build 300,000 homes in year in a bid to get public support for developments.
White van man on... housing
If you’re a minister you can’t win when it comes to housing. If we lived in a place like New Mexico we wouldn’t even be discussing it.
The first steps towards fixing a damaged system?
Local government will still be left to pick up the pieces of the cost of living crisis that the Queen’s Speech has failed to address, says Heather Jameson. There needs to be a new plan to make public services fit for purpose.
Queen's Speech: Government plans to boost tenants rights
Two separate housing bills in the Queen’s Speech set out the Government plans to tackle tenants rights improve the private rented sector.
Appetite for construction?
The Levelling Up department’s wish to see a council housebuilding revolution will require an increase in capacity, but also political confidence and professional leadership for managing risk and finance, writes Jonathan Werran.
Funding affordable housing in future
Steve Quartermain argues that Section 106 has been quite successful at securing concessions and contributions from developers, and he also considers if a new approach that sees affordable housing delivered through a revised levy would be good news.
