NHF want to ensure that housing is available to people in different circumstances in a way that supports individuals to realise their potential and at the same time delivers communities that are socially and economically viable.

The current allocation system for social housing was designed with noble intentions, but is judged to be unfair by many people looking for social housing.

It prioritises households defined as being in the greatest need, but effectively excludes those whose needs may be equally high, but are simply not recognised.  It also fails to support mobility for existing social housing tenants and creates concentrations of people who are very vulnerable when they move into social housing.

The underlying problem is the shortage of affordable housing as building has failed to keep pace with demand and waiting lists have soared in the past decade from 1.04 million households in 1999 to 1.75 million households in 2009.

Without more social housing being provided the choices available to people seeking a home will remain severely constrained. With the drive to reduce the public budget deficit the government and social housing providers are asking questions about the type of affordable housing they should invest in and who should it be for.

The consultation paper – ‘Fairer access to social housing’ – looks at opening up opportunities for access to other tenures, such as low cost home ownership and intermediate renting.

At the same time it sets out the case for a fairer system for those ‘queuing’ for social rented housing, a system that does not see people having to paint themselves into the worst possible position in order to move up the queue and get a chance of social housing.

NHF propose reforms that recognise that local authorities and housing associations need greater flexibility to respond to the housing markets they operate in, their strategic priorities and the needs of their existing tenants who want to move, as well as those of new applicants.

The NHF vision is one where social landlords can take a view of what needs to happen in each local place, built on a dialogue and understanding of the needs of their local communities.

NHF are welcoming comments on their consultation document.  Please send us your responses by 30 September 2010 to jonl@housing.org.uk or by post to:
Jon Longden, National Housing Federation, Lion Court, 25 Procter St, London WC1V 6NY.

Download “Fairer Access to Social Housing: A consultation proposal”

Shelter – which aims to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing – noted that a commitment is required by ministers in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to improve the homes situation.

Its comments come in response to recent figures which revealed that property completions were up by one per cent this quarter, reaching 26,550.

Kay Boycott, director of policy and campaigns for the organisation, said this total still only half of what is needed to meet the demand.

She added: "With the economic recovery still shaky and millions struggling to access an affordable home, we need to see bold and immediate action to stop us falling further and further behind."

This news comes after those in planning jobs received a boost from housing minister Grant Shapps earlier this month, who noted the government would not instruct communities where to build to encourage further growth in property.

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This was revealed in Tenant Services Authority's (TSA) Regulatory and Statistical Return 2010 report – which is completed by all RPs in England and features a list of the top 200 housing associations in the country.

Throughout 2009-10, 59,852 units/bedspaces were added to total rental stock owned by large RPs.

It was also revealed that the number of evictions and anti-social behavioural (ASB) orders carried out by the representatives in the period had declined compared to previous years.

Moreover, the TSA noted earlier in 2010 that ASB advisors will work with the housing industry to try to deal with the issue.

In addition, the survey showed that on March 31st 1.6 per cent of general needs stock was available, which was a reduction from two per cent in 2009.

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Milton Keynes Partnership pledged £594,000 – made available from the National Affordable Housing Programme – to the property supplier, which will work with Barratt Northampton.

Housing jobs could be created as a result of the additional labour, which will see around 45 new homes constructed overall.

Andrew Swindell, managing director at Barratt Northampton, said the properties will consist of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as four and five-bedroom homes.

Margaret Dodwell, managing director for Guinness Trust, added that the funding will enable the first reasonably-priced homes in the area "for a considerable period of time" to be created.

The Homes and Communities Agency recently pledged £2.6 million to help a housing scheme in Stockton get underway, which will see an initial 50 properties constructed in the region.

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Sarah Webb, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said at this time of financial pressure it is particularly vital to keep going.

Her comments come after an statement that the Audit Commission is set to be abolished, but Ms Webb noted that the sector's expectations of inspection also need to change.

She added: "In light of this announcement we should actively look at how we can best embrace a stronger approach to accountability and transparency to the residents we serve and our wider communities."

And it was pointed out that the CIH is committed to helping those in the property industry advance, which could make life easier for those with housing jobs.

Other factors that may improve housing could be the government giving more power to the local communities and plans of this nature were announced earlier this year.

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This is according to Dino Patel, London regional manager at the organisation, who said that its members are committed to working with local bodies and the Great London Authority to implement recent proposals.

These were announced by the mayor of London and the councils in the area in a report titled A Framework for Devolved Delivery.

Boris Johnson stated last week (August 12th) that there should be more autonomy for London's boroughs, which could lead to further reasonably priced properties being constructed.

Those looking for planning jobs may find this is positive news, while Mr Johnson added: "I firmly believe we should empower London's boroughs so that more decisions are taken directly by those in the communities they affect."

In addition, he invited the capital's boroughs to join in with the debate in order to improve housing in the Big Smoke.

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An initial 50 properties will be constructed at the Home Zone, complete with roof terraces and courtyards, as part of the initiative at the former industrial site, which could help create more jobs in housing.

Pat Ritchie, north-east director of the HCA – which has already invested £20 million in the area – said the money pledged by the group will enable the region to unlock its potential.

She added: "Northshore can now play a key role in bringing quality homes, jobs and opportunities to Stockton and the wider Tees Valley."

Other organisations supporting the project include Tees Valley Unlimited, Stockton Borough Council and One North East.

Moreover, the HCA announced earlier this week that it has pledged £1.14 million that will see 20 apartments built for older people in the Middlesbrough area.

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Grant Shapps made the decision to scrap the Place Survey to ensure Whitehall has less control over councils giving them more authority and flexibility, which could please those in public sector jobs.

He noted that the reports will not actually change anything and they are just a cosmetic exercise.

"Let's give real power back to the people – such as letting taxpayers veto high council tax rises," he added.

The report – which is conducted by every council in England and costs more than £5 million to run – was introduced in 2008 and involves the participation of around half a million residents.

This news comes after local government secretary Eric Pickles announced last month that the public will be given the choice whether to reject unnecessary council tax increases.

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Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced that ministers are looking into making green regulations simpler which could be welcome news to developers and those in planning jobs.

He noted that just having positive intentions regarding the system is not enough.

“We”ve acted quickly to ensure the environment can be protected, without overwhelming everyone with red tape,” Mr Pickles added.

Councils and businesses could be the ones to benefit from any amendments made to the legislation, which could end up saving more than £200 million a year as repetition of work during the planning process is likely to be avoided.

This news comes after Richard Capie, director of policy and practice at the Chartered Institute of Housing, welcomed welfare reform plans, which might be positive news for those on the lookout for jobs in housing.

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Grant Shapps noted that there has been no time lost in ensuring that local regions and people have a much quicker development system to work with, which could help those in planning jobs.

He added: “With house building falling to its lowest level since 1924, action is needed now to build the homes the country needs. That’’s why these new powerful incentives to build will be introduced early in the Spending Review period.”

These comments come after he announced yesterday (August 9th) that a New Homes Bonus will be introduced into the Spending Review era.

And he declared that this scheme will ensure communities that attempt growth will reap the rewards.

This comes after the National Housing Federation announced last month that more affordable homes are needed to ensure neighbourhood life is not wiped out.

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