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Just 2.6% of homes built on public land will be for social rent, says thinktank
Only 2.6% of the 131,000 homes set to be built on public land released by the government will be for social rent, according to the New Economics Foundation (NEF).
The left-leaning thinktank has analysed data on the government’s Public Land for Housing programme published earlier this month.
Across 1,225 sites in England sold since 2011, just 3,410 homes for social rent will be delivered.
Inside Housing reported at the time that only 15% of the homes will be for affordable tenures.
In 2018/19, the level of social rent homes delivered across all sites in England was also 2.6% – with 6,287 built out of 241,130 in total.
Last week, sector figures called for a rebalancing of government funding after it emerged that only 4% of homes delivered through the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme since 2016 have been for social rent.
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Ministers plan to sell off enough sites – including hospitals, prisons and Ministry of Defence firing ranges – for 160,000 homes by 2020 through the five-year Public Land for Housing programme, while also raising £5bn in capital receipts.
Hanna Wheatley, a senior researcher at the NEF, said: “In most places, solving the housing crisis means providing truly affordable housing, and so building social housing should be a top priority.
“With public land, the government has a real opportunity to meet this need. But so far, they have made limited effort to influence what happens on public land, instead selling to private developers who build unaffordable homes.
“Public land should be used for public benefit and not sold to the highest bidder.”
It has argued that public land should be ringfenced for social housing and claims central government departments have enough land for 100,000 social homes in the current parliament.
This month’s data release marked the first time the government has published data on how many affordable homes are being built on land it has sold.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We have invested £9 billion in our Affordable Homes Programme and have lifted the borrowing cap so councils can build more social homes.
“Last year we delivered more homes than any year in the last 30 years and will deliver a million more in this parliament.”
Update: at 9.23am 18/02/20 the quote from MHCLG was changed at the department’s request.
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Inside Housing Development Summit 2020
Inside Housing is pleased to join forces with Homes England and the LGA to introduce the Inside Housing Development Summit.
Taking place on 27-28 April 2020, the summit will gather together local authorities, housing associations, developers, fund managers and advisors for a Chatham House style event focussed on making new connections and exploring new delivery models.
The summit will take place over 28 hours, starting with an afternoon plenary on 27 April, an exclusive development site study tour to Northstowe, England's largest new town since Milton Keynes, followed by a business dinner.
The second day will provide opportunities to network with a range of senior Homes England and LGA staff including Nick Walkley, chief executive of Homes England and Mark Lloyd, chief executive of LGA.
You’ll also meet with leaders from across the development ecosystem and take part in group discussions to help you connect and explore new opportunities. All accommodation and meals will be provided within the fee.
Places for each stakeholder group are limited to ensure a balanced mix of participants and to make sure you leave with the relationships and leads you need.
Click here to book your place or for more information
