In the balance

Liverpool mayor promises to address housing need

The newly elected mayor of Liverpool has promised to deliver housing for the city.

A new hope

Incentive payments should help first-time buyers

Councils should consider using new homes bonus funding to set up schemes to help first-time buyers get on the housing ladder, according to an influential think tank.

Lib Dems move to block eviction of rioters

Delegates at the Liberal Democrat conference have passed a motion opposing the eviction of social housing tenants involved in the August riots.

Power shift

In May 10 cities will vote on whether they want an elected mayor. Here Rhiannon Bury finds out what’s at stake for housing

Colour charts

As voters across England, Scotland and Wales prepare to go to the polls, we assess the key battlegrounds for housing

Unlocking funds to build

Associations must work carefully to secure their development grant, says Gillian Bastow, partner at Lewis Silkin

Utopia revisited

As David Cameron seeks to revive the principles of garden cities with a consultation due later this year, Colin Wiles examines how likely it is that his vision will come to fruition

The sale of the century

The government wants to make right to buy popular again, but details on the proposal are sketchy, says Sarah Lines, social housing lawyer with Cobbetts LLP.

What’s in a name?

The housing strategy for England has finally arrived, but what does it mean for the sector?