Housing
How councils can reshape the future of high streets
Local authorities—many of whom are landlords — now have a unique opportunity to regenerate and transform our high streets for the future, say Andrew Knowles and Leena Gillespie.
Devolution must back our success in delivery
The pandemic has proved again that bigger Government is not always better, says John Fuller. 'We have to celebrate the differences across our towns and cities, connecting and firing up engines of growth that have so far missed out from devolution'.
Forget the charm, local government needs certainty
Heather Jameson asks if Boris Johnson’s surprise appearance on a local government call this week could be the start of a charm offensive. 'Forget the charm, a decent finance settlement and devolution deal will do the trick', she adds.
Local solutions are key to global action
ENGIE is seeking out and supporting council clients – particularly those who have a clear climate change commitment, assertive leadership and adequate resources to deliver their climate emergency action plans, says Colin Macpherson.
Councils warn of 'housebuilding fiasco'
New government housing targets will lead to a north-south divide in England, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Council leaders welcome £12bn affordable housing fund
Local authority leaders have welcomed the Government’s affordable housing funding announcement, but called for more powers to deliver social homes in their areas.
Pincher tries to soothe Tory fears over new housing formula
Housing minister Christopher Pincher has attempted to soothe Tory fears over the Government’s new methodology for calculating local need.
Building foundations for community health
A new report calls on the Government to put public health at the heart of housing delivery. Paul O’Brien of APSE and Dr Daniel Slade highlight the main recommendations.
Housing MJ: Stepping out of the shadows
With the tragedy of Grenfell still in the background, Kensington and Chelsea LBC is aiming to make better use of all its homes within the borough and sees mixed tenure housing as a game changer. Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith explains.
Housing MJ: The rebuild starts here
Amid the gloom of the current housing crisis, Jackie Sadek says local authorities can take the lead in forging the partnerships that can help rebuild our homes and local economies.
Housing MJ: Delivering housing today, tomorrow...and beyond
Just changing the planning system will not solve the housing crisis, says Cllr Linda Hobson. That’s why Newcastle City Council has launched a range of programmes to target different problems and needs.
Housing MJ: Time to retrofit our approach to net zero carbon
If the UK can take the lead on moving beyond carbon by significant retrofit of its existing housing stock, then other large economies will follow suit to help save our planet, says Andy Merrin of Engie.
Housebuilding: 'yet another flawed algorithm'
Kathy O'Leary says 'the potential disparity in new housing allocations highlights real concern about the negative effects of yet another flawed algorithm'.
Liverpool to replace homeless shelters
The city council is to close its ‘shared sleeping sites’ for homeless people and provide self-contained accommodation.
Housing targets hit Tory shires most, ministers are warned
Ministers have been warned that proposed changes to the housing targets formula outlined earlier this month could mean more developments in rural Conservative-held council areas than in Labour-held inner cities.
More autonomy for councils is crucial
Brent’s independent Poverty Commission report recommends enhanced powers and finances for councils. Councils have earned their place, says Shazia Hussain.
Local authority pension fund invests £150m in rental housing
An investment manager for local authority pension funds has invested £150m in private rental housing provider Get Living.
Evictions ban extended
The Government has extended the ban on evictions of renters for a further month following lobbying by councils.
Planning for the future and understanding the past
David Arminger takes a look at what’s wrong with the planning system, and argues a Right to Build would be a way to encourage new entrant innovators to the market.
Councils warn of ‘avalanche of evictions’
The local government sector is braced for a deluge of homelessness following the end of the evictions ban.
