Housing
Time to get the house in order
Trevor Hampton outlines why data needs to be part of your organisational DNA if you want to be ready for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Combined strategy call to tackle homelessness
The Government should commit to a coherent combined housing and homelessness strategy, a report published today by a commission of experts has urged after a year-long investigation.
Choices, choices...
Ray Lee says councils are expected to ‘exhaust every avenue’ to meet their housing needs figure. But Elmbridge BC had thousands of green belt objections following its first Regulation 18 consultation, creating a hard to ignore political mandate.
‘We need to evolve our model of the economy’
Mike Emmerich says if housing, transport and education all ‘pile on pressure for success’ in some wealthy and well-connected areas and leave others behind, then ‘we really are facing a national policy failure’
Much is still to be done on building safety
Lord Porter says the recent fire in Barking showed buildings under 18 metres have similar safety issues to higher blocks, and the Local Government Association looks forward to continuing to work with the Government to deliver much-needed reforms.
Going for growth at Homes England
Homes England is almost doubling in size. This rapid ramp-up comes with some sizable problems, says Tracie Evans. The biggest challenge is for the existing and new cohorts to work collaboratively to co-create a 'bold and fearless culture'.
Merging the best of both sectors to create new garden communities
Andy Jarrett explains how joint ventures and garden towns – including the Otterpool Park joint venture+ between Folkstone and Hythe DC and Cozumel Estates, for up to 10,000 homes – will help the Government achieve its housing target.
When all the housing markets are broken
Eric Bohl argues that local government needs to campaign assertively on a range of housing issues in order to benefit from, take part in and shape the market, as well as deliver on local priorities.
Are LA housing companies the way forward?
Councils are increasingly creating companies to deliver their social housing needs, The MJ and Norse recently organised a round table debate to discuss the barriers to delivering housing delivery through these vehicles. Michael Burton reports
A shared passion for regeneration in Salford
Ten years ago, the English Cities Fund and Salford City Council submitted a plan for a scheme that would change the skyline of Salford, Greater Manchester and leave a vital legacy. Phil Mayall and Jim Taylor tell the story of the partnership.
Making modular work in Birmingham
Birmingham City Council completes its first modular home this month. Cllr Sharon Thompson describes how the implementation of modern methods of construction (MMC) is the ‘real game changer’ that can help address the housing shortage.
Our chance to build
Tony Clements looks at the large-scale work Ealing LBC has embarked on to provide affordable homes, which is being mirrored by councils across the country, and says that in the shadow of crisis now is the time to show we can deliver.
Investigating the homelessness challenge on the Isle of Wight
The fourth leg of the LG Challenge 2019 landed at Isle of Wight Council. Penny Galvin outlines how the participants performed on delivering a route from homelessness to housing
Regeneration schemes need to be about more than bricks and mortar
Damian White outlines how Havering Council's joint venture housing regeneration scheme for 3,000 new homes will deliver social value through increased investment in local SMEs, education, training and skills.
A searchlight is shone on the shoddy treatment of leaseholders
Paul Wheeler says the 'whole sorry saga' of the removal of potentially lethal cladding has shone a long overdue searchlight on the appalling treatment of leaseholders by the major housebuilders.
Court ruling defends council but warns others
A crucial Supreme Court judgment has dismissed a family’s claim against a council for housing them next to an abusive household, but stressed authorities may still have a duty of care in other circumstances.
MP accuses officers of 'racism or snobbery' towards Grenfell residents
The MP for Kensington has accused council officers of ‘racism or snobbery’ towards residents of Grenfell Tower.
EXCLUSIVE: New protocol to ease council tensions
A protocol encouraging best practice between councils will be drawn up by the Local Government Association (LGA) as tensions grow around increasing out of area placements, The MJ understands.
Labour report calls for radical tax and planning reforms
Replacing council tax and business rates are among the radical policies proposed in a report commissioned by the Labour Party.
Profits hike for Telford & Wrekin-owned property firm
Telford & Wrekin Council’s wholly-owned housing provider Nuplace has announced a jump in profits of almost 50%.