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Today in housing
Our roundup of today’s housing news includes doubts over tower block cladding tests and criticism of the government’s low-cost homeownership schemes
Low-cost homeownership still out of reach for many
It turns out low-cost homeownership schemes that were meant to benefit people on low incomes haven’t panned out quite as expected.
A report from the Social Mobility Commission has found that many of these schemes benefit better-off buyers, with an average income of £41,323 for those using Help to Buy – not far from the average income of other first-time buyers who earn £47,528.
Questions over tower block cladding tests
There are now 181 tower blocks that have failed the government’s cladding test, but the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has admitted there has been some criticism of the test.
More than a week after the testing began following the Grenfell Tower fire, the government has published details of how the tests are being carried out.
The government has come under increasing pressure over the tests, with the National Housing Federation calling for them to be stopped and resources focused on helping landlords carry out fire safety work and the Local Government Association criticising the tests for only looking at the core of a panel.
In the note, the DCLG said it is aware there has been “some uncertainty” and criticism of the tests, which have shown 100% of panels tested to have failed the combustibility requirements.
The note added: “With such a high failure rate, government, landlords, residents and others naturally want to be sure that the tests are right and accurate.”
Grenfell illegal subletters will be immune from prosecution
Grenfell Tower tenants who may have been illegally subletting their flats will be immune from prosecution, the government announced over the weekend.
Officials are still trying to identify everyone who was in the block and the government hopes by reassuring tenants they will not be prosecuted for subletting they may come forward and help identify people who were in the building at the time of the fire.
Government keeping a close eye on council
Following the resignations of the chief executive and leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, the government has promised to “keep a close eye” on the council.
There have been growing calls for the council to be taken over by commissioners, with both mayor of London Sadiq Khan and shadow secretary of state for housing John Healey calling on the government to step in.
In an interview on the Today programme over the weekend, local councillor Catherine Faulks was defiant about the council’s response to the disaster, accusing the media of pulling a “stunt” by obtaining a court order to attend a council meeting after journalists and residents were barred.
