Housing


Calls for councils to be given more power over empty properties 15/11/2019 A major union has called for councils to be allowed to take over empty properties to house people on waiting lists.
Temporary accommodation costing councils £1bn a year 15/11/2019 A dramatic increase in the amount of money councils spend on temporary accommodation for the homeless is 'shocking yet entirely preventable', according to leading campaigners.
Council closes property company to focus on building 300 new homes 13/11/2019 An arms-length local authority property company is to be wound up when its first project has been completed in the New Year.
Government urged to revitalise key worker housing 12/11/2019 The Key Worker Housing initiative should be revitalised to help public sector workers access affordable homes, a think tank has argued.
Council sets out plan to build 1,000 social homes 12/11/2019 Nottingham City Council has committed to building or buying 1,000 council houses and creating thousands of new jobs over the next decade.
Thousands of people living in 'unregulated' housing 07/11/2019 Tens of thousands of vulnerable people are living in unsafe and unsuitable conditions, according to new research.
LGA reveals successful applicants for its housing advisers programme 05/11/2019 Fourteen local authorities are to receive funding to pay for independent expertise to help overcome housing challenges in their local areas.
Councils given extra £4m to tackle rogue landlords 05/11/2019 Councils have been awarded an extra £4m in new funding to take action against criminal landlords.
No starter homes have been built yet, investigation finds 05/11/2019 None of the Government’s planned ‘starter homes’ have yet been built as legislation has not been implemented, a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has found.
Charity calls for commitment to deliver 90,000 social homes a year 05/11/2019 New figures show that nine in 10 private renters are left on council housing waiting lists for years due to a lack of social homes.
Whitehall to pay Yorkshire company £30m to build ‘modern, green homes’ 04/11/2019 The Government yesterday announced it will be paying £30m to a construction firm in Yorkshire to make the North of England the ‘world-leader in the creation of modern, green homes’.
Chancellor announces £250m ‘infrastructure revolution’ 01/11/2019 More than £250m in funding will be made available to provide infrastructure for thousands of homes, the chancellor has said, in a move condemned as a pre-election ‘publicity stunt’.
London businesses support devolving housing powers to councils 31/10/2019 Businesses in London have urged Whitehall to give local authorities more power to deliver infrastructure and housing in their communities.
Councils offered £10m fund to ‘kick start’ new towns 28/10/2019 The Government has released £10m to help councils develop locally-led proposals to deliver more ‘new towns’.
Six local authorities sign housing deal with Homes England 24/10/2019 The Government has launched a nearly £40m fund in an attempt to kick start a ‘green housing revolution’ in the north of England.
Whitehall commits £19m for young people leaving care 23/10/2019 Young people leaving care have been promised better housing, healthcare and employment opportunities in a new government scheme.
Joint venture unlocks ‘biggest brownfield’ site in the Black Country 21/10/2019 Industrial land in Sandwell is set to be the site of a 750-home community after a deal was struck by the council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Charity calls for ‘whole Government approach’ to health of young people 16/10/2019 Whitehall should transform its policies across housing, transport and education in order to secure the future health of today’s young people, charity says.
Queen's Speech 19: Whitehall to ‘implement’ new building safety standards 14/10/2019 The Government plans to ‘implement new building safety standards’ in order to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, according to the Queen’s speech.
Queen's Speech 19: Brexit, health and devo at the heart of Government plans 14/10/2019 Brexit, the NHS and devolution are at the heart of the next round of Government legislation as outlined in the first Queen’s Speech today.
Only 10% of recent homes built on the Green Belt are 'affordable' 14/10/2019 Only one in ten homes built on land released from the Green Belt over the past decade are considered ‘affordable’, a new report has found.
Cost of B&Bs for homeless people rockets 14/10/2019 Councils are being forced to spend more than £90m a year on placing homeless people in bed and breakfasts, council chiefs have warned.
Trial launched into providing a stable home for ex-offenders 11/10/2019 A scheme to give prisoners a place to live when they are released is now being trialled in Leeds, London and Bristol, it has been announced.
A targeted approach to tackle homelessness 10/10/2019 The Government's objective of ending homelessness by 2027 can be achieved through a more targeted and long-term approach, experts told Mark Whitehead.
Public call for more investment in housing benefit 10/10/2019 Three quarters of the public believe that housing benefit should increase in line with rents, according to a new poll published to mark World Homeless Day.
Norwich council estate wins top architecture prize 09/10/2019 A council estate in Norwich has been named as the UK’s best new building.
UK marked by ‘extreme’ inequalities, study shows 08/10/2019 A new study from University College London has warned that the UK is characterised by ‘extreme’ inequalities both between and within cities and regions.
Cambridge’s pioneering cohousing scheme 07/10/2019 Laura Sharman visits Marmalade Lane – Cambridge’s first cohousing development and the largest scheme of its type in the UK.
Local Housing Allowance 'inadequate' for family homes, research warns 07/10/2019 More than nine out of ten family homes for private rent are too expensive for people on housing benefit, new analysis has revealed.
Sussex council green lights 3,000 new homes 07/10/2019 A planning committee in Sussex has given the green light to a construction project that will see thousands of new homes delivered in the area.
Rent caps needed to curb housing crisis, report says 04/10/2019 A think tank has called for local leaders to have the power to cap rents in high-cost areas.
Oxford to lose out on millions due to planning rule changes 03/10/2019 Oxford City Council has warned that the city could lose out on hundreds of new council houses due to changes in the national framework which guides planning policy.
Glasgow faces legal battle over homeless services 03/10/2019 Shelter Scotland has launched a legal battle against Glasgow City Council over failures in its homelessness service.
Councils attack plans to extend permitted development rules 01/10/2019 The Government has announced plans to extend permitted development rules to allow developers to convert commercial buildings into homes without planning permission.
Fit for purpose homes 27/09/2019 With a new report showing the amount of money spent on the repair and maintenance of public housing has hit a 20-year low, Mark Robinson explores how councils can ensure their homes are fit for purpose.
The safety of social housing 26/09/2019 Neil Merrick explores how councils are improving the safety of social housing two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Scotland sees a 15% increase in its housing supply 24/09/2019 Scotland has seen an increase in its housing supply for the sixth year in a row, new figures reveal.
Housing crisis affecting 8.4m people in England 23/09/2019 The number of people in England who need social housing is nearly double the number of people on the government’s official waiting list, a new report has warned today.
Council chiefs warn ‘boom’ in barn conversions undermines local planning 23/09/2019 Local leaders have called for scrapping of the permitted development right after new figures suggest rural developments might be missing out on vital services.
Council chiefs call for devolution process to be ‘reignited’ 20/09/2019 The Government must 'reignite the devolution process' to give all parts of England more powers and funding, council leaders have demanded.
Processes for allocating social housing excluding ‘vulnerable’, think tank warns 18/09/2019 The rules and processes designed to decide who gets access to social housing could be failing people in greatest need, housing experts warn.
Casey calls for support to tackle homelessness 16/09/2019 Homelessness expert Dame Louise Casey has issued a call to arms to tackle the rising tide of homelessness around the world.
Government to reintroduce Domestic Abuse Bill 13/09/2019 The prime minister has confirmed that his Government will reintroduce a Bill to help tackle the ‘horrific crime’ of domestic abuse.
£150m housing scheme to go ahead on former Toys R Us site 12/09/2019 Housing and new offices are set to go ahead on a former Toys R Us site in Southampton.
APSE to launch Local Government Commission 10/09/2019 A new commission to develop a practical vision for local government in 2030 will be launched by APSE later this month.
Council to help deliver over 80 ‘cutting-edge’ properties 10/09/2019 A district council in Cambridgeshire has welcomed the Government’s decision to build what they describe as ‘cutting-edge, designer council homes’ in Northstowe.
Burnham announces £6m for homelessness scheme 09/09/2019 Mayor Andy Burnham has announced a £6m funding package for the second phase of Greater Manchester’s A Bed Every Night scheme.
Review into sprinklers in high-rise homes 06/09/2019 The Government has announced plans to reduce the height of tower blocks where sprinklers must be installed.
Who’s planning for more? 04/09/2019 One year on from the launch of the new National Planning Policy Framework planning, Sophie Innes has concerns about its progress.
Council pension fund calls on housebuilders to improve transparency 04/09/2019 One of the biggest local government pension funds has called on housebuilding companies to improve the way they report environmental, social and governance issues.
Union ballots over strike action at Greenwich Council 03/09/2019 Housing employees at Greenwich Council in London are being balloted for strike action over the ending of a productivity agreement.
Office for Veterans’ Affairs given £5m funding boost 03/09/2019 The Government has announced a £5m fund boost to help support military veterans.
Hackney to take developer to court 02/09/2019 A London borough is preparing to take legal action against a developer over fire safety fears in a block of flats.
New rules to increase housing deal transparency 02/09/2019 Councils will be legally required to publish deals with housing developers after new rules were introduced.
Council’s housing-with-care scheme saves NHS over £300,000 per year 30/08/2019 Housing-with-care schemes in Southampton are responsible for saving the NHS £330,000 per year, the council says.
Council apologises for leaving family in ‘overcrowded conditions’ for 10 years 29/08/2019 Lancashire CC has apologised after a woman and her family were left living in what the LGO described as ‘significantly overcrowded conditions’ for 10 years.
Repair and maintenance of public housing hits 20-year low 28/08/2019 The amount of money spent on repairing public housing fell to an all-time low in 2018, new research has revealed.
Council leaders call for Right to Buy reforms 27/08/2019 Councils have urged the Government to reform the Right to Buy scheme in next month's Spending Round.
Universal Credit driving tenants into rent arrears, study says 23/08/2019 Universal Credit is causing tenants to fall behind in their rent, new research from a group representing landlords has revealed.
Housing crisis forcing 1.3 million children to live in ‘overcrowded’ conditions 22/08/2019 A new study has revealed that more than one in 10 children in England are living in overcrowded homes because of a lack of suitable housing.
Children growing up in ‘B&Bs and shipping containers’, commissioner warns 21/08/2019 Thousands of children are growing up in unsuitable temporary accommodation, commissioner warns – a state of affairs council chiefs blame on a lack of funding.
Council services ‘declining’ due to £5bn funding gap, MPs say 21/08/2019 MPs have accused the Government of being ‘derelict in its duty’ by failing to set out a funding settlement that would ease the pressure on frontline services.
Javid announces £600m housing infrastructure winners 19/08/2019 Five councils will share £600m of Government funding to support the delivery of up to 50,000 new homes in high demand areas.
New partnership to help Welsh councils build affordable housing 16/08/2019 The Welsh government has partnered with a membership body for housing professionals in an effort to help councils build more affordable housing in Wales.
Sutton completes first council housing in 30 years 15/08/2019 The London Borough of Sutton has completed its first programme of new council house building in three decades with the delivery of nearly 100 homes.
Plans outlined for UK’s first plastic free homes 14/08/2019 A housing association has pledged to build 12 new homes that are virtually free of plastic.
280,000 approved homes not completed 09/08/2019 The number of planning permissions granted far outweighs the number of completions, according to new research.
Khan announces 200 new homes for rough sleepers and victims of domestic abuse 09/08/2019 Up to 200 new homes will be built in London to help former rough sleeps and victims of domestic abuse to leave hostels and refuges.
Welsh Government sets out development vision for next 20 years 07/08/2019 A new planning framework for Wales will aim to produce more council housing and increase the use of renewable energy.
Whitehall urged to develop £10bn ‘regeneration strategy’ 02/08/2019 The Government should develop a £10bn ‘national regeneration strategy’ to help boost towns and cities across the North and Midlands, a new study says.
Brentwood Council signs £1bn joint venture 02/08/2019 A £1bn joint venture to deliver new homes, public spaces and local facilities has been agreed between Brentwood Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments.
London boroughs urge Whitehall to ‘turbocharge’ council housebuilding 31/07/2019 Local authorities in London have called on the Government to ‘turbocharge’ council housebuilding by lifting restrictions on the use of Right to Buy receipts.
Liverpool submits £230m ‘Green City Deal’ 30/07/2019 The mayor of Liverpool has submitted a proposal to the new prime minister for a £230m Green City Deal to tackle climate change and boost the economy.
New Office of Veterans’ Affairs needs ‘teeth’, council chiefs say 30/07/2019 Local authority leaders have welcomed the creation of a new position within the cabinet dedicated to veterans’ affairs, but warned it should be ‘given teeth’.
Council tenant fined £100,000 for illegal sublet 30/07/2019 A council tenant has been fined £100,000 and evicted from his property by Westminster City Council after he illegally sublet his flat through Airbnb.
Learning from Leeds 26/07/2019 Joanne Volpe the best of giving people the information they need to find a home right for them.
Government should ‘prioritise’ accessible house building, charity says 25/07/2019 Better advice and support is needed to help people move into a more suitable home in later life, according to housing experts.
Whitehall ‘failing’ to meet target for land sales 24/07/2019 MPs have accused the Government of failing to meet its target for selling land to make way for new homes.
Three projects secure funding to increase flood resilience 23/07/2019 Three projects will receive up to £700,000 each to research and test ways to make homes more flood resilient.
Consultation on opening up ‘rogue landlord’ database to public launched 22/07/2019 The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to open up its rogue landlord database to the public.
Brokenshire tells house builders to ‘protect wildlife’ 22/07/2019 The communities secretary James Brokenshire has published new guidance to help developers do more to protect wildlife.
Move to ban 'poor doors' in new housing developments 22/07/2019 The segregation of social housing residents in mixed-tenure developments will be banned under new measures announced by the Government.
‘Primary school’s worth’ of children face homelessness this summer 22/07/2019 Next PM told to make homelessness an 'urgent priority' as research finds hundreds of children face being placed into temporary accommodation this summer.
Campaigners call for new definition of 'affordable' housing 19/07/2019 Many families living in the countryside could have their rents cut in half if the definition of 'affordable' housing were changed, according to campaigners.
Councils urged to bid for housing advisory scheme 18/07/2019 A programme offering expert advice on how local authorities can best tackle housing shortages in their areas has been launched for the third year in a row.
Permitted developments in danger of becoming ‘the new slum housing’ 16/07/2019 Half of local authorities in England think homes created using permitted development rights could threaten people’s health and wellbeing.
Harnessing the power of modular 15/07/2019 Adam Cunnington explains how local authorities can harness the power of modular to become a key player in helping to solve Britain’s housing crisis.
Universal Credit draining council resources 15/07/2019 Universal Credit (UC) is draining resources from councils, a new survey has found.
Council chiefs welcome move to ‘modernise’ housing inspection system 12/07/2019 Local government leaders have welcomed a move to review the system for inspecting private sector housing.
Say ‘no to ugliness’, commission tells planners 10/07/2019 Councils should 'say no to ugliness' in their planning decisions, according to a report commissioned by the Government.
Benefit freeze ‘fuelling’ homelessness 08/07/2019 The freeze on housing benefits is driving up homelessness in London, the capital’s boroughs have warned.
A licence to let 04/07/2019 With the government’s recent focus on regulating the private rented sector, Neil Merrick explores how councils are using licensing scheme to tackle rogue landlords.
Council chiefs call for devolution to rural communities after Brexit 04/07/2019 Local authority leaders have called on the Government to devolve more powers to rural areas in the event that Britain leaves the European Union.
Councils 'failing' to prosecute rogue letting agents 04/07/2019 The association representing landlords has accused local authorities of failing to prosecute rogue letting agents.
MPs call for modern construction methods to solve housing crisis 03/07/2019 The Government must encourage the use of modern construction methods to solve the housing crisis, MPs have warned.
District councils building more homes thanks to scrapping of HRA borrowing cap 02/07/2019 More homes are being built because of the Government lifting a cap on how much councils can spend, according to a new report.
Young people face ‘renting into retirement’, council chiefs warn 01/07/2019 Young people today are half as likely to get on the housing ladder than they were 20 years ago, local government leaders have revealed.
Whitehall’s 300,000 house building target ‘way off track’ 26/06/2019 The Government's target of delivering 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s is in danger because of a 'lack of decisive action', MPs have warned.
PM calls for new housing design laws 26/06/2019 The Prime Minister yesterday called for new design laws to ensure high-quality homes in a speech dismissed by Labour as a ‘lame duck announcement’.
£146bn building programme needed to end housing crisis, experts say 26/06/2019 A ten-year building programme costing £146bn is needed to end the housing crisis, experts have claimed.

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