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Short on time? Monday’s housing news in five minutes
A round-up of the top stories this morning from Inside Housing and elsewhere
Top story: Sector bodies raise concerns that First Homes plan could hit social housing numbers
The government’s plans to use Section 106 developer contributions to fund new discounted ‘First Homes’ for new buyers have been questioned by sector figures, who are concerned about the potential loss of more traditional affordable housing.
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said that while the organisation supports efforts to increase homeownership, this should not come at the expense of building homes for those most in need.
She added: “We are concerned that this proposal could make it more difficult for housing associations and councils to provide homes for lower-income families.”
Her comments were echoed by other sector figures, including those at the G15.
Click here to read the full story
Only one of 56 ACM-clad tower blocks in London gets government cash
Only one of London’s 56 privately owned blocks wrapped in Grenfell-style cladding and eligible for government help has received any money, it has emerged.
City Hall told Inside Housing that £49,496 has been released this week to the owners of the one undisclosed building to help with “pre-tender support”. Two other blocks have been approved for the preliminary funding, with one due to get £95,516, the other £25,104.
This represents a tiny fraction of the £150m set out to help residents of these buildings, and raises the possibility of others missing out.
Lunchtime long read
Read our latest weekly round-up of the second phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which analyses the implications of the decision to apply to the attorney general for protection for witnesses giving evidence.
Quote of the day
“Otherwise my boy will start drawing him and my wife without a dad.”
Adam, 44, is a homeowner in a building which is awaiting cladding tests. His family has moved back to Poland and he is unable to join them because of the costs associated with the flat he cannot sell. He flies back to Poland every other weekend to see his son. Read the full story of him and others here.
In the papers
Picture: Getty
Reports in The Guardian, The Times and others all suggest that we could be in for a new housing minister this week as Boris Johnson prepares to sack Esther McVey in a reshuffle this week. If Ms McVey does go, her replacement will be the 10th housing minister since 2010 and the sixth since 2016.
The aforementioned BBC News article on the cladding scandal is worth a read for anyone following the story. It particularly focuses on homeowners who are unable to sell until cladding tests are carried out on their buildings, and contains a number of case studies from housing association homes.
Also focusing on leasehold charges this week is The Guardian, which runs a piece looking at bills for ex-Right to Buy flats in south London.
Local news
Picture: Getty
Blackpool Council has unveiled plans to buy back former Right to Buy properties, The Gazette reports.
Wigan Council has launched an “ethical letting agency” to help private landlords let their properties responsibly, The Leigh Journal reports.
Around the sector
Above: Anthony Breach (centre) with Steve Douglas of Aquila (left) and Steve Moseley of L&Q (right)
A thinktank analyst has been presented with his prize for winning a housing research competition supported by Inside Housing.
Anthony Breach of Centre for Cities beat stiff competition from four other shortlisted papers to win the Thinkhouse Early Career Researcher’s Prize, which aims to give researchers in the early stages of their careers an opportunity to showcase their work.
Mr Breach’s winning paper calls for a flexible zoning system in which builders can develop land without needing to seek planning permission.
He won £500, an Inside Housing subscription and the chance to have his work showcased by Inside Housing.
Mr Breach was presented with his prize last week by the sponsors’ representatives Steve Douglas, group chief executive of Aquila – the company that includes housing consultancy Altair – and Steve Moseley, group director of governance, strategy and communications at L&Q.
Click here to read more about the winning entry
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