A new Government website www.defra.gov.uk/rural/arh/index.htm, which provides information, useful contacts and links to best practice for those directly engaged, or interested, in the provision of affordable homes in rural areas was launched.
Sponsored jointly by DCLG and Defra, the website follows the report of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission (ARHC), which looks at the need for more affordable housing in rural areas. The site sets out current and proposed government housing and planning policies, impacting on the rural sector.
Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, said there was a need to see more affordable housing in rural areas: "The website will be an important resource for those working on housing in the rural areas - including local authorities, housing associations, landowners and country groups - both on policy developments and on best practice to deliver more decent affordable houses in rural communities."
Wandsworth Council called on the Government to launch a nation-wide programme of new hidden homes as part of a fresh approach to the challenge of creating more affordable housing. It also argued for an end to the current anomaly where authorities like Wandsworth, which have invested heavily in improved local housing, are penalised financially for every new rented home they build.
The Council's unique hidden homes scheme identifies disused areas on estates, which can be converted into residential accommodation for people in need. So far the Council has converted 126 new homes at its own expense.
However, Wandsworth argues that it is required to subsidise other councils which have allowed their own stock to deteriorate, which effectively 'fines' it for its investment. The Council's call for fresh thinking on housing finance is highlighted in its response to the Government's consultation document From Decent Homes to Sustainable Communities.
Executive member for housing Martin D Johnson said: "Currently we are being expected to pay around £6 million a year to bale out under-performing councils. This figure will rise to £18 million in two years time. This is the 'reward' we get for investing hundreds of millions of pounds in improving and renewing our own stock.
"It is an Alice in Wonderland system of housing finance, where the more cash we put into Wandsworth properties the more help we have to give to others who have not been so far sighted.
"Wandsworth will have upgraded all its housing by the end of 2007 without any additional Government funding. Ministers should learn from our experience and find ways of rewarding councils for their investment.
"We are now working with housing associations and private developers on innovative models which can produce new affordable housing without falling foul of these distorted subsidy rules. If the Government would work with us we could make it attractive for councils throughout the country to build new social housing on the hidden homes model."
The Council also wants ministers to end the bias against estate residents who have voted to keep their homes under council management. A new group, the Association of Retained Council Housing, is now campaigning for equal access to government funding for improvements - instead of the current scheme where grants are conditional on tenants voting for a new landlord.
Source: 24dash.com
"And to the responsible young couple I met a few days ago, who tell me they work all hours, play by the rules and still cannot afford their first home - I say we hear your concerns. It is because we are on your side that we will now expand shared equity for affordable homes, plan for another one million more owner occupiers, and because many people want to rent we are also doubling public investment in social housing."
Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
"As the Chancellor said yesterday, we are doubling public investment in social housing. By 2010 over 3.5 million homes will have been refurbished - [with] millions more people across the country able to live in a decent, warm home with modern facilities.
"And since last year's debate we have been working to promote a more level playing field on social housing too. After the decent homes programme has finished, councils with ALMOS, or without, will have a level playing field on resources.
"And we are examining how all councils can build more council houses.
"We are also exploring how to give more power to tenants, through co-operative and community ownership models."
Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
