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Morning Briefing: Shelter warns of affordable housing ‘black hole’ in planning rules
Polly Neate is concerned about proposed new planning flexibilities, and BBC Panorama sheds light on Universal Credit arrears
In the news
Ms Neate, chief executive of Shelter, has warned that proposed new rules aimed at speeding up the conversion of commercial property into housing could create a ‘black hole’ if developers use them to avoid building affordable housing.
You can read Ms Neate’s article which was published in The Guardian here.
The BBC last night aired a Panorama documentary episode called The Universal Credit Crisis, focused on families struggling to navigate the new benefits system.
The programme reported that council tenants on Universal Credit owe two and a half times more than those on housing benefit. The Huff Post and the I newspaper have both reported on the programme’s findings.
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The Evening Standard newspaper has reported findings of a London Assembly report that recommends a new housing commissioner is appointed “to fight for the rights of tenants” in the English capital. The report was commissioned in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017.
BBC Three ran a social media #housingweek from 29 October to 9 November. Off the back of this, it has published a selection of people’s stories of the housing crisis here.
The Daily Mail has published an article about Labour MP Kate Osamor living in a social home “despite earning up to £130,000 a year”. The article taps into a long-running debate about who social housing should be for and is reminiscent of attacks on the late trade union Bob Crow.
What challenges are there for homeless sector staff providing end of life care? Niamh Brophy of charity St Mungo’s has written a piece outlining the issues for the Homeless Link website.
The Yorkshire Post has published a news story about plans for a “major urban extension”, including 2,000 new homes, near Wakefield.
Senior staff at Grampian Housing Association in Royal Deeside, Scotland, have been accused of being “arrogant” after winning an appeal to build homes on the site of a Victorian school, The Press & Journal reports.
Finally today, the Architects’ Journal has published details of a roundtable discussion on the need for more homes for older people.
On social media
Gudrun Burnet, group lead (domestic abuse) at Peabody, questions the BBC’s news priorities:
@BBCBreakfast seriously. ‘Commutes by train/ bus/ car have gone up by 3/4 mins in last decade’.... I know you cover #domesticabuse every now and then. But you could cover it more #2womenaweekmurdered #ukhousing. How is this even a story?
— Gudrun Burnet (@GudrunBurnet)@BBCBreakfast seriously. ‘Commutes by train/ bus/ car have gone up by 3/4 mins in last decade’.... I know you cover #domesticabuse every now and then. But you could cover it more #2womenaweekmurdered #ukhousing. How is this even a story?
— Gudrun Burnet (@GudrunBurnet) November 13, 2018
What’s on
- Placeshapers’ annual conference takes place today in central London
- The Grenfell Inquiry hearings continue in London
- The House of Lords Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities Committee will be taking evidence from 3.20pm
Homes 2018
Homes 2018 is the premier event experience for those working at a high level in residential development, strategic asset management and procurement.
As well as Kit Malthouse, housing minister, as the closing keynote speech, there will be conference sessions on the world’s tallest modular towers, micro-living and the UK’s largest self and custom build community.
Plus, find the latest product innovation and meet over 120 exhibitors, while networking with 4,000+ industry peers.
Homes 2018 will take place at Olympia, west London on November 28 and 29.
