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NHF research on Local Housing Allowance receives some coverage and the rest of the weekend’s housing news
In the news
The big story this morning is research by the National Housing Federation which shows 90% of homes are unaffordable for claimants of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
The research, which we cover here is also getting an airing in The Independent which features comments from Polly Neate, the chief executive of Shelter and a mother who has struggled to find a home.
It follows similar findings released by the Bureau for Investigative Journalism last week. In a nutshell, the problem is that LHA rates have been frozen or cut for years while actual rents have been growing. This has created a situation where you cannot pay the rents with the benefits available – trapping people in homelessness. There is substantial pressure being applied on this point, with charity Crisis campaigning for change.
Elsewhere, several outlets in Scotland including STV cover warnings from the Chartered Institute of Housing that not enough is being done to meet the country’s ambitious target for affordable housing.
Callum Chomczuk, director of CIH Scotland, warns uncertainty regarding future funding is an issue. “We have had no indication of what funding levels will be after next year and there’s a danger that social landlords will simply have to stop building. Skilled staff will leave the sector and we will end up back where we started,” he says.
Also in Scotland, Scottish Housing News covers the latest from the regulator, which says it will focus on standards of Gypsy and Traveller housing in its forthcoming scrutiny plan.
In local news, Manchester Evening News has a report on planned strike action at ForViva among 75 electricians, plumbers, roofers and labourers. The strike is part of a dispute about pay.
Sheffield Council carries news of its own plans for a new ambitious development programme of 3,100 new council homes in the city over the next 10 years.
And The Argus reports on a row in Brighton, where Liberal Democrat councillors have called for homes to be built on an underused golf course in the area.
On social media
On Friday we published a comment piece from Thrive Homes which set out an argument against ’lifetime’ tenancies. The piece provoked a strong reaction on Twitter:
Wow. Where to start....t.co/4krkYaVEnm
— Alison Inman (@Alison_Inman)Wow. Where to start....https://t.co/4krkYaVEnm
— Alison Inman (@Alison_Inman) October 4, 2019
I’m guessing author is an asset person, rather than a people person. Guess when HAs get commercial it’s 7 years & you’re out. Bye bye community, hello stress. Nye Bevan must be spinning in his grave....
— Julie Nicholas (@JulieNicholas_)I'm guessing author is an asset person, rather than a people person. Guess when HAs get commercial it's 7 years & you're out. Bye bye community, hello stress. Nye Bevan must be spinning in his grave....
— Julie Nicholas (@JulieNicholas_) October 4, 2019
Intrigued to know about their research as to “optimum length”. If it’s the time after which most move then what’s the point?
— Sam Lister (@samlisterCIH)Intrigued to know about their research as to “optimum length”. If it’s the time after which most move then what’s the point?
— Sam Lister (@samlisterCIH) October 4, 2019
Particularly in London they hold little value if means testing is the decision maker, it’s unlikely in 5-7 years that a household has saved enough to buy enough in London, even for shared ownership.
— Jess Page (@jessicaruthpage)Particularly in London they hold little value if means testing is the decision maker, it’s unlikely in 5-7 years that a household has saved enough to buy enough in London, even for shared ownership.
— Jess Page (@jessicaruthpage) October 4, 2019
The ’lifetime tenancies’ phrase was invented a dozen years ago to make social housing sound ridiculous & soft. It was cover for people who wanted to end social housing. It is meaningless. ’Security of tenure’ is essential to balance rights/responsibilities of landlord & tenant.
— Steve Hilditch (@SteveHilditch)The 'lifetime tenancies' phrase was invented a dozen years ago to make social housing sound ridiculous & soft. It was cover for people who wanted to end social housing. It is meaningless. 'Security of tenure' is essential to balance rights/responsibilities of landlord & tenant.
— Steve Hilditch (@SteveHilditch) October 4, 2019