Andy Burnham's speech in the Manchester People's History Museum, in which he said that a government led by him would carry out “the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period”, has raised hopes that if he becomes Prime Minister there would be a change of direction in the government's housing policy, with council … Continue reading Public funding is the means to build/acquire social rent council homes
Less than a quarter of housing association new builds are social rent
Inside Housing's annual survey of the 50 biggest housing association builders gives a clear picture of organisations progressively abandoning their 'social purpose'. In the absence of social housing grant from central government we were told that cross-subsidy was necessary to fund social rented housing. But as the concentration1 and commercialisation of the sector procedes apace, … Continue reading Less than a quarter of housing association new builds are social rent
Submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Council and Social Housing inquiry on the barriers to building and acquiring social rent council homes
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Council and Social Housing has launched an inquiry into obstacle to building and acquiring social rent council housing. This is our submission. The deadline has been extended to July 24th. Submissions should be sent to appgcash@shelter.org.uk . Summary Council housing is not a priority for the government. There is … Continue reading Submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Council and Social Housing inquiry on the barriers to building and acquiring social rent council homes
“Unsustainable (council housing) debt” – cut it or cancel it?
Shelter is calling for the government to “remove the historic debt local authorities owe to the government” for council housing. They say that £29 billion in “historic housing debt”1 is based on an outdated financial settlement from 2012; that it “sucks away money that could be invested in building new social homes”. Shelter calls for … Continue reading “Unsustainable (council housing) debt” – cut it or cancel it?
PCS union housing policy
This is an extract from a Public and Commercial Services Union pamphlet, “Social Security – there is an alternative”.Also of interest, the PCS is undertaking a suvey of its membership in relation to their housing situation and how the crisis impacts on them. Since 1997 the price of an average home in England has doubled … Continue reading PCS union housing policy
Ban Developer Donations to Political Parties – Housing for People, Not Profit
Labour MP, Chris Hinchliff, and a number tenant and housing campaign groups, are writing to Steve Reed, asking him to support of a ban on developers donating to political parties. Hinchliff is proposing a new Clause (25) to the Representation of the People Bill, which introduce sauch a ban.. The letter says "We are writing … Continue reading Ban Developer Donations to Political Parties – Housing for People, Not Profit
National housing demonstration: launchpad for building pressure on the government on council housing and rent controls
More than 70 organisations, including six national trades unions, are supporting the national housing demonstration on April 18th. It calls for 'rent controls now' and 'council housing, not luxury flats'. It is at 1 p.m. Soho Square Gardens W1D 3QP. The national housing demonstration brings together a host of tenant groups, housing campaigns and national … Continue reading National housing demonstration: launchpad for building pressure on the government on council housing and rent controls
Shelter petition: introduce a bill to get councils building social homes again
“With record levels of homelessness, including 175,990 children growing up in temporary accommodation, we're calling on the government to introduce a new Get Councils Building Bill at the King's Speech on 13 May. This bill would tackle the barriers that are holding councils back from building the social homes we need. Social homes provide a foundation … Continue reading Shelter petition: introduce a bill to get councils building social homes again
National demonstration for rent controls and council housing
Rent controls now. Council housing not luxury flats April 18th 1 p.m. Central London “Sky-high rents and a lack of good-quality council homes is making life impossible for too many of us. Rising rents mean people are forced to cut back on essentials like food and heating, or they’re pushed out of their homes all … Continue reading National demonstration for rent controls and council housing
“Labour is being badly misled on housing”
Chris Hinchliff, MP Our entire political system is discredited by the abject failure to provide a decent genuinely affordable home for so many people across the UK. If Labour does not meaningfully break with decades of disappointment and deliver an effective remedy to the housing crisis, millions across the country will lose faith in the … Continue reading “Labour is being badly misled on housing”
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 