19.01.17
National Audit Office: Article link
The National Audit Office has today published an overview of the housing market in England, the Department for Communities and Local Government's housing strategy and the overall housing policy landscape.
According to the NAO, housebuilding has not kept pace with need, and this is particularly acute in London.
Projections suggest there will be at least 227,000 new households formed each year between 2011 and 2021. This is substantially higher than the annual average of 166,000 extra homes in England over the last 10 years.
Delivery of the Government's million new homes ambition by 2020 will require 174,000 net additions each year.
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06.01.17
Public Sector Executive: Article link
In this article, Dr Charlotte Snelling, a researcher at IPPR, and Ed Turner, senior lecturer and head of politics and international relations at Aston University, look at the lessons the UK can learn from Germany in tackling the country's housing crisis.
They find that, on the face of it, Germany's record is stronger than that of the UK. In looking at influences the article identifies key factors.
The article concludes that, with ministers about to publish a housing white paper, the government would do well to learn from the German approach to land assembly, the role of SME builders in the German market, and why the country is so much more successful in turning planning permissions into homes.
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03.01.17
Local Government Association (LGA): Report link
At its Annual Conference in July, the LGA published the preliminary findings from the commission. This final report sets out further detail, and highlights some of the LGA's key asks in advance of the Housing White Paper.
The Autumn Statement's confirmation of additional investment and flexibility for councils to help build affordable homes, and to invest in infrastructure linked to housing growth both reflect central asks from the preliminary findings.
The LGA aim to continue to develop these ideas with the sector, building up the case for policy change where it is needed, and capturing and sharing innovations that will help councils in their efforts to meet housing need.