Archives for March 2009
Vacant property refurbishment ”only one way to increase affordable home supply”
Although refurbishing empty homes can be an effective tool in increasing the supply of affordable homes in Britain, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) points out that it can only form one part of a wider housing strategy.
Speaking at the Empty Homes Agency conference, Trevor Beattie, director of policy and strategy for the HCA, pointed out that at present the agency is looking into how it can divert more of its £8.4 billion National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP) towards redeveloping homes which currently lay unoccupied.
However, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear he believes that claims by some commentators that the total 700,000 vacant homes in England could be refurbished immediately are unlikely to become a reality.
"For the HCA to invest more of its NAHP, the homes would have to be of the right type, and in the right place – we will not spend public money on homes for the sake of a superficial quick win," he states.
Mr Beattie adds that not only does the issue of value for public money need to be considered, but in some cases investing in existing homes rather than new build projects can have a negative impact on the wider housebuilding sector.
Last June, South Gloucestershire council launched its Empty Homes Strategy aimed at reducing the number of vacant properties in the area and to provide guidance to owners of unoccupied homes.
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Rural homes plans praised
Proposals to increase the number of affordable homes within rural areas have been praised.
In response to a report by Truro and St Austell MP Matthew Taylor calling for the policies regarding the planning and construction of properties in such parts of Britain to be revitalised, the government has announced a number of new measures.
Among these are encouraging local authorities and developers to indentify sites in small villages where they can build affordable homes for those families priced out of the local housing market.
In addition, mid-sized rural towns are being called upon to develop sustainable individual neighbourhoods rather than bland, nondescript estates, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear.
David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, states that there are "700,000 people on waiting lists for an affordable home in rural England and that number is getting bigger by the day", although the proposals should go some way in ensuring more affordable properties are built to serve local needs.
He adds that at present many young people are being priced out of homes where they live due to increasing numbers of wealthy commuters, retired couples and second-home owners.
Last month, Mr Taylor stated that churches could play a crucial role in freeing up space in rural areas on which to build affordable properties, as it is often a large landowner in village and hamlet communities.
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Plans to continue affordable home investment in Salford unveiled
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has announced plans to help ensure that affordable homes continue to be built in the north-west as the credit crunch rumbles on.
In forming links with Countryside Properties, Salford city council, In Partnership and Manchester Salford Pathfinder, the HCA has revealed it is to supplement investment in the Higher and Lower Broughton areas of Salford.
Although work in the region has seen more than 750 homes completed in recent years and 147 families moving to new registered social landlord-owned and managed homes, additional funding from the agency is set to see a further 20 acres of land be identified for redevelopment.
Those looking for jobs in housing may be interested to hear that not only will this land be use to create a number of affordable family homes but also new sporting, community and nursery facilities.
Deborah McLaughlin, north-west regional director for the HCA, said: "We are providing significant new funding to make sure these important and ambitious developments in Broughton are able to maintain momentum in the current climate."
Such news comes after a recent study by the National Housing Federation revealed that the number of Britons on social housing waiting lists is set to reach the two million mark by 2011.
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Landlords ”need to be ready for digital switchover”
The majority of social landlords are not ready for the digital television switchover.
While 74 per cent claim to be partially prepared for this, a further 14 per cent state that they are entirely equipped for the change.
Overall, 12 per cent claim that they are no ready at all, the research – which was carried out by Sky – indicates.
However, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear comments by Jane Ostler, director of housing from Digital UK, that housing providers have a crucial part of ensuring the switchover is a success.
Pascal Wharton, head of Sky Communal Services, adds: "Flats are usually dependent on a communal TV system and it looks like some residents may be in danger of being faced with a blank screen unless adequate provision is made."
Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Brighton earlier this month, Peter Marsh – chief executive for the Tenant Services Authority – urged landlords to engage with their tenants on numerous decisions – such as property maintenance and how budgets are spent – which will affect them.
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NHF reveals social housing demand will rise
The already significant demand for social housing is set to grow even further.
Such is the assertion of the National Housing Federation (NHF), which reveals that the number of those on waiting lists for such housing is set to reach a record high of around two million by 2011, something which cold interest those with jobs in housing.
Between now and 2011, it is suggested that an additional 200,000 households are set join social housing waiting lists, although demand over the last five years has already increased by 55 per cent.
Ruth Davison, director of the NHF, said: "We are currently witnessing a dramatic surge in the demand for social housing, as the recession really starts to bite."
She adds that the fact waiting lists will have doubled in the years between 2001 and 2011 indicates "that we simply have not produced the number of homes we so desperately need".
Meanwhile, research from the Local Government Association indicated that 57 per cent of local council leaders in England have witnessed an increase in the number of people demanding social housing since the emergence of the credit crunch, with a further 31 per cent expecting such a rise to take place.
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HCA unveils Cinderford investment
A number of new homes are set to be built in Gloucestershire following an investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The HCA is to assist with the regeneration of Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, following being given the green light from the National Coalfields Programme to plough £14.75 million into the project.
The regeneration project is to see 189 mixed tenure homes be created, which are set to have an emphasis on affordability, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear.
In addition, the investment will help to establish a new access road, 19.7 hectares of reclaimed brownfield land, 20,000 sq m of employment space and a further education college.
Colin Molton, south-west regional director for the agency, said: "The HCA board has made a decision to invest in Cinderford’’s regeneration, by delivering a high quality mixed use sustainable development to help bring transformational change to the town."
Earlier in the month, the HCA – alongside London mayor Boris Johnson – revealed that it is to invest £42 million into helping the London & Quadrant Housing Trust deliver around 500 intermediate rented homes – where occupiers will benefit from discounted rent rates until they are in a position to be able to buy the property.
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Housing associations reach turnover milestone
Annual turnover achieved within the housing association sector has surpassed the £10 billion mark for the first time.
Figures released by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) show that in the 12-month period ending March 2008, turnover rose by 10.7 per cent compared to the previous year, with this largely being driven by the transfer of stock from local authorities to housing associations and the continued construction of new properties.
Those with jobs in housing may also be interested to hear that the total value of homes owned by associations increased by ten per cent over the course of the year to stand at £85.2 billion.
However, while TSA chief executive Peter Marsh pointed out that the "sector continued to grow and perform well" during this period of time, the impact of the credit crunch may present significant problems.
"Although the sector is impacted by the downturn, it continues to be remarkably resilient," he adds, pointing out that demand for affordable properties continues to be high, while rental homes are increasingly being sought out.
Speaking earlier this year, Mr Marsh claimed that despite the continuing impact of the financial crisis, investing in affordable homes for rent remains "a uniquely safe asset class in the property world".
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Homelessness rates increase in Scotland
Homelessness application rates in Scotland have increased, according to new figures.
In data released by the Scottish government, a total of 29,361 applications for homelessness were recorded between April and September 2008.
Not only does such a figure represent a rise of two per cent from the same period of time in 2007, it also comes on the back of an overall decline in homelessness over the last two years.
Those on the search for jobs in housing may also be interested to hear that 28 per cent of people in the region had applied as homeless following the breakdown of a relationship or a domestic dispute, while six per cent cite problems making mortgage or rent payments.
Graeme Brown, Shelter Scotland director, states: "These figures are a stark wake-up call to crank up [the] housing supply in Scotland."
However, the Scottish government unveiled details of its Home Owners Support initiative earlier this week, allowing those threatened by repossession to either allow a social landlord to take over their home, which they can then rent out, or enter a shared equity deal where the government will own a stake of their property.
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Homeowner support scheme unveiled in Scotland
A multimillion pound support fund has been announced for homeowners in Scotland struggling in the face of the economic crisis, it has been revealed.
The Scottish government has unveiled details of its Home Owners Support fund which offers those in the region faced with the threat of repossession to allow a social landlord to take over their property, which they can then rent out
In addition, struggling homeowners will be able to enter a shared equity deal where the government will own part of their property, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear.
Overall, the fund is worth £35 million.
Alex Neil, housing minister, states: "As part of the Scottish government’’s economic recovery plan, we have acted decisively to help home owners deal with the impact of the economic recession."
Earlier this month, the Scottish government revealed it is to increase the standard housing association grant assumption by an average of six per cent, in a move to ensure that construction on new properties continues through the economic downturn.
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Councils ”under more demand for social homes”
The majority of councils cite the economic downturn as the driving factor behind an increased demand in social housing, new research reveals.
In a study carried out by the Local Government Association (LGA), some 57 per cent of local authority council leaders in England claim to have seen a rise in the number of people in need of social housing since the emergence of the financial crisis.
Just under a third (31 per cent) of those questioned, meanwhile, are expecting such an increase to take place, in news that could interest those on the search for jobs in housing.
Claiming that councils were already struggling with demand for housing before the emergency of the downturn, Margaret Eaton, chair of the LGA, states "social housing has to be a top priority because the harsh reality is that fewer people are getting on to the property ladder".
Meanwhile, Homes for Islington recently announced that – alongside Islington council – it has started construction on a number of family-sized council properties, the first to be built in the region for 25 years.
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