What’s happened to the government’s housing plans over the summer, traditionally a quiet time in politics? Whilst at Grafton Empty Homes, we remain busy supporting Housing and Empty Homes Officers at Councils, Parliament has been in recess, leaving us to read the mood music, the tea leaves and all the rest on housing.
The last messages before recess were strong – both the Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated their commitment to housing targets and investment in planning (which should have a knock-on effect for planning on empty homes).
Despite the ‘bad news / back to school’ update the Prime Minister gave the country on 27 August, he has again committed to housing, setting out ‘some of his legislative priorities to reverse “14 years of rot”. This includes accelerating planning to build homes’ (BBC News).
Earlier in the summer both Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner committed to making housing a priority, giving targets and plans.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated in a speech given in July, that the government will ‘create a new taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites in our country…beginning with Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield, representing more than 14,000 homes. Fourth, we will also support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country.’ (Gov.uk)
Deputy PM Angela Rayner has come under pressure to progress the removal of dangerous cladding to U.K. homes and buildings, since the recent fire in Dagenham.
She has also shown commitment to providing housing by announcing the new housing target system ‘will raise the number of homes planned from 300,000 per year to 370,000.’ Rayner confirmed that local housing targets will be made mandatory.
‘Local authorities will have to plan for a total of new homes proportionate to local communities. As a result, the number of new homes planned will rise from 300,000 a year to 370,000 a year.’
Current figures put the number of homeless at 45000 with those on waiting lists for social housing at 1.3m (Shelter). It’s possible that if the Government meets their targets, they will partially solve the housing crisis in England and Wales.
Grafton Empty Homes CEO, Mark Byrne, stated: ‘Whilst it’s always difficult to foretell planned investments in housing, this is a strong indication that things should be on an improving curve from here. We await further updates with interest.’
Are you a Housing Officer or Empty Homes officer in England or Wales? Please email or call Grafton Empty Homes on info@graftononline.com · 020 8875 1230 for a no obligation discussion of your housing needs.
