Housing associations are to stop building mixed estates of privately owned and social rented homes because of the credit crunch, leading to fears of a return to ‘council ghettos’ says The Times. Bob Kerslake, head of Homes and Community Agency (HCA) said that during the past 20 years housing developments had a mix of 30
The Liberal Democrats today dramatically raised the political stakes on housing with a call for a million new affordable homes over the next decade. The 100,000-a-year programme would be more than double the current programme. But housing minister Yvette Cooper told the BBC the Lib Dem figures were ‘flaky and don’t add up’. The Commission
Meanwhile further government research has found that poorer families believe healthy living is an aspiration of the middle classes. The research found that parents underestimate the level of exercise their family does while underestimating how much they and their children eat, but believe that a healthy lifestyle if unattainable or undesirable. Most families also lack
A Treasury report looking at ways of reviving the mortgage market and headed by Sir James Crosby, has been released today. The report warns there is no quick fix and predicts that the shortage of mortgage finance will continue throughout this year and into 2010. It suggests ways of propping up mortgage lenders by allowing
Communities minister Hazel Blears told parliament yesterday that economic recovery rested in giving local people more say in the decisions that affect them. She said it was vital that councils had the freedom, flexibility and ability to support local communities. Her comments came as she announced the release of a progress report into last July’s
London’s suburbs are in danger of becoming dormitories with no jobs as they gear up for more new homes, according to a report by the London Assembly. Housing associations will be able to take greater risks in the financial markets under new treasury management rules, according to Inside Housing. The Housing Corporation has published a
Communities secretary Hazel Blears launched a strategy to improve design standards in new public buildings. She said that badly designed estates and low quality neighbourhoods ‘encourage crime, undermine communities, deter investment, spoil the environment and cost a fortune in the long term’. She added that good design was not a luxury that can be dropped
Iain Wright, junior housing minister, confirmed yesterday that almost £350 million will be made available in the next financial year through the Homes and Communities Agency to help regenerate local housing markets and restore confidence in the community. Nine pathfinder areas and three other areas will receive funds to refurbish properties, improve the quality of
Communities secretary Hazel Blears has unveiled plans to support communities during the recession and recycle public buildings. There will be a range of options for local councils to give buildings to the community, including handing them over as a gift or selling at below market price.
Key workers can’t afford homes in seven out of ten UK towns, according to Halifax research reported in papers including The Independent. The National Audit Office is investigating housing market renewal pathfinders to see if they offer value for money, reports Inside Housing. A report for the Commission for Racial Equality says racial tension is