VAT rise to hit associations hard

Landlords look to Osborne to boost investment

Housing associations and councils have called on chancellor George Osborne to help them access more private sector investment as part of next week’s Budget.

Spending cuts blamed for rising benefit bill

Housing bodies have blamed swingeing government spending cuts for adding nearly £2 billion to the cost of housing benefit over the next five years.

Shapps refutes claims he wants green deal ditched

Housing minister Grant Shapps has rejected claims that he wants the government to abandon its multi-billion pound flagship energy efficiency scheme.

Rubber stamp

A poor start

Going spare

The government’s contentious ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupying tenants is set to become law this month. Alex Turner looks at the disproportionate effect it’s likely to have in the north

Getting connected

In the second of our Focus pieces on digital inclusion, Liverpool Mutual Homes chief Steve Coffey outlines the work his organisation is doing.

The pursuit of happiness

Ministers are investigating what makes people happy. Worryingly, says Alice Ross , housing doesn’t get a mention.

Scrapheap challenge

The price of metal has risen sky high making pipes, railings and even boilers an irresistible target to thieves. Chloë Stothart finds out how one housing association is tackling the growing problem of metal theft

The legal aid lifeline

Cuts to legal aid and new spending restrictions mean tens of thousands of tenants will no longer be eligible for free housing advice. Jess McCabe visits a law centre to investigate the likely impact of the changes