You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Labour’s annual conference has entered its penultimate day, with members due to vote later on whether to back a series of potential housing policies
In the news
The Labour Campaign for Council Housing has put forward proposals to make it party policy to build 155,000 social rented homes a year, with at least 100,000 of these council homes.
It wants the leadership to pledge £10bn a year to build these homes, up from the current commitment of £4bn.
Shadow housing minister Alex Cunningham told a fringe event yesterday that £10bn “will be difficult” to deliver.
If delegates vote for the motion, it will not automatically become party policy and will be considered at a ‘clause V’ meeting with shadow ministers, trade unions, members and affiliates before making it into the Labour manifesto.
Meanwhile, Inside Housing has been told to keep a close eye on Jeremy Corbyn’s speech to the conference tomorrow.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard told a fringe event yesterday that the party’s upcoming Housing Commission report will call for councils and “public interest-led bodies” to buy land at existing use value, according to Common Space.
Elsewhere, The Big Issue reports on figures from Action on Empty Homes and Nationwide Building Society showing that 11,000 homes became empty last year – the fastest rise since the recession.
The Northamptonshire Telegraph says Corby Council is set to allow developers of a 4,500-home scheme to provide just 225 affordable homes, despite the authority’s policy requiring 900.
In Oxford, the council has opened a new hub along with housing association A2Dominion aimed at tackling rough sleeping in the city, the Oxford Mail reports.
Elsewhere, Stroud Council has launched a new scheme promising private landlords 12 months’ rent up front if they provide accommodation for homeless households, according to Letting Agent Today.
In Wales, Vale of Glamorgan Council has announced plans to buy back former council homes, per the Penarth Times, with Cardiff Council expected to sign off on a large-scale similar programme on Thursday.
Finally, The Guardian runs a feature on the tragic death of Jake Humm, a 22-year-old who died in a homeless hostel despite access to support, as well as a comment piece from Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.
On social media
Today I’m announcing more than £30m for innovative housing projects in Wales, new approaches to help us deliver the social and affordable housing of the future. t.co/Fx31X1FZnU pic.twitter.com/zHmXut3QIe
— Julie James (@wgmin_housing)Today I’m announcing more than £30m for innovative housing projects in Wales, new approaches to help us deliver the social and affordable housing of the future. https://t.co/Fx31X1FZnU pic.twitter.com/zHmXut3QIe
— Julie James (@wgmin_housing) September 24, 2019
Today’s the day!
— Labour Campaign For Council Housing (@labour_council)
Our proposals to build 100,000 social rented council homes a year, £10bn a year to build them, and an end to r-t-b will be voted on.
This will be the biggest shift in any major party’s housing policy in the last 30 years.
Vote for motion 23! #Lab19 pic.twitter.com/ZAk24zUvKHToday’s the day!
— Labour Campaign For Council Housing (@labour_council) September 24, 2019
Our proposals to build 100,000 social rented council homes a year, £10bn a year to build them, and an end to r-t-b will be voted on.
This will be the biggest shift in any major party’s housing policy in the last 30 years.
Vote for motion 23! #Lab19 pic.twitter.com/ZAk24zUvKH