Archives for April 2008
Social housing legislation ‘backed by Labour’
Legislation intended to improve the supply of affordable social housing has been commended by Labour peers, it has been revealed.
Under the housing and regeneration bill is it proposed that English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation should merge to form the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
In addition, moves by the government will see a social housing regulator – the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords – be created.
During debate for the second reading of the bill, Baroness Dean said: "The HCA will have enormous influence and powers."
She also pointed out that despite its national remit, it is important that the organisations as a "local presence".
Meanwhile, Baroness Ford, former chair of English Partnerships, stated that the new laws will help to create "fundamental building blocks to accelerate the supply of new, affordable, social housing".
Earlier this month, Peter Dixon, chairman of the Housing Corporation, claimed that 2007 saw the institution either meet or exceed a number of its targets as it had a record year in terms of both investment and output.
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More council homes to be built in Scotland
A multimillion pound investment package into Scottish council housing has been made, it has been revealed.
Speaking at the Scottish National Party conference this weekend, Nicola Sturgeon, deputy first minister for Scotland, announced that some £25 million would be made available to help further with the construction of council-owned properties.
Ms Sturgeon said: "I can report to you today that since May last year, councils have started work on 250 new council homes. But we must go further."
The minister claimed that in four previous years of Labour rule only six council homes were built in Scotland.
Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, also pointed out that housing associations "have the construction, development and project management skills needed to build new houses" and that local authorities should work together with such organisations in delivering this.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Housing Corporation is to issue Rotherham council with a £7.8 million grant to build 209 new homes, the South Yorkshire Times reports.
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Housing Corporation issues affordable homes grant
Rotherham council has received a multimillion pound grant from the Housing Corporation with which to build a number of affordable homes, it has been revealed.
During the next three years the council is set to build 209 new houses across the Yorkshire town.
Affordable homes boost in north-west
Hundreds of new homes are to be built throughout the north-west, it has been revealed.
The news comes as the Vicinity Housing Group has received an £18.5 million grant from the Housing Corporation to build 429 new properties across Liverpool, Halton, Sefton, West Lancashire, Wirral and Knowsley.
Exeter to receive affordable homes
A number of new affordable homes are set to be built in the south-west of England, it has been revealed.
Following a £2.4 million investment from the Housing Corporation, 92 properties will be constructed at the site of the former Royal Naval Stores depot on Topsham Road, Exeter.
Housing associations ‘taking advantage of property sector slump’
Housing associations are becoming a threat to private property developers in the attempt to secure land on which to build homes, it has been suggested.
According to Richard Petty, partner at property consultancy Drivers Jonas, those who have jobs with housing associations are taking advantage of the current property slump and are taking up large sites for mixed-tenancy developments.
Notting Hill Housing expands advisory project
Notting Hill Housing is set to extend its housing advisory service project, it has been revealed.
Over the course of a year-long pilot, the Housing Options initiative – which details the various options available to those looking to get on the property ladder – was revealed to have helped 12 families own a home.
Affordable housing development gets underway
Work on an affordable housing development in Cambridgeshire has begun, it has been revealed.
Alongside developer Larkfleet Homes, Axiom Housing Association and Fenland district council are helping to provide 45 homes for local residents.
Affordable homes planned for St Albans
A number of affordable properties are to be built in St Albans, it has been revealed.
The Hightown Praetorian and Churches Housing Association has received an allocation of the homes to be built by Barratt Homes and Bellway Homes on the site of a former Kwik Save warehouse off the A5183.
Housing associations award contracts to Mears
A social housing contractor has secured three multimillion pound deals across the country, it has been revealed.
The Mears Group has won a £33 million contract with the Watford Community Housing Trust where, as part of the housing association’s Decent Homes partnership, it will replace kitchens and bathrooms for tenants.