The number of people living in overcrowded homes in England will soar 15 per cent to 2.6 million by 2011 as unemployment and repossessions bite, the National Housing Federation warned today. It says an extra 350,000 people would be living in overcrowded conditions in the next two years, exacerbated by the economic slowdown which has
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has said private developers, local councils and housing associations must work better together to manage land supply more efficiently to boost the supply of affordable housing. It argues that a poor grasp of land economics, an over reliance on section 106 agreements and an aversion to risk is hindering
Meanwhile new figures for housing association applications to start building new homes is five per cent lower than for the same period last year, according to the National House Building Council (NHBC). New home starts in total in October fell to the lowest level since the early 1980s, and the future looks even bleaker as
A new report out yesterday has highlighted the barriers to independent living for young people with learning disabilities. The research warns that the housing requirement of young people are often overlooked or missed off care assessments altogether. The report shows that thinking ahead to get housing considerations through the community care assessment gate is essential
Gwyneth Taylor from the National Federation of ALMOs (arms length management organisations) argues that if government funding dries up for ALMOs, which manage council housing on behalf of local authorities, one million council tenants would be affected. The federation has put together a paper providing examples of activities ALMOs can undertake to deliver social housing,
Housing associations who inherited council housing have been ‘highly successful’ in delivering improvements to tenants, new research by the Joseph Rowntree Association has found. More than one million tenants have switched from local authority to housing association tenancies during the 20 years stock transfers have taken place and the research found that housing associations typically
A panel has been set up to ensure that new homes meet the needs of an increasingly ageing population. The housing our ageing population panel for innovation comprises of architects and specialists who will research good practice across Europe that will create housing for older people and improve the availability and choice of sustainable homes
The Tenant Services Authority is encouraging housing associations to rationalise stock through swaps, transfers, management agreements and partnerships. Estates where a large number of associations own a small number of properties can result in tenants getting poor service, while landlords lack involvement in neighbourhoods, it says. The TSA found that up to 60 associations are
In Scotland, a housing association has apologised after sending an overdue rent letter to a woman who died nine years earlier, and who had never lived in the property. A hand-delivered letter arrived from the Scottish Borders housing association demanding £300 in rental charged for the house, but the widower of the woman to whom
John Healey is expected to announce details of a consultation to allow councils to keep the proceeds of council house sales and the revenue from rent, after revealing last night that he would ‘dismantle’ the current council housing finance system. Under the current system the money is returned to the Treasury where it is reallocated