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Thinktank’s affordable housing commission issues call for evidence
An affordable housing commission chaired by a former boss of the National Housing Federation (NHF) has issued its call for evidence.
The Smith Institute thinktank launched the Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) in October.
It is headed by Lord Richard Best, who was chief executive of the NHF from 1973 to 1988 and of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation from 1988 to 2006, as well as being president of the Local Government Association between 2007 and 2016.
The call for evidence comes after focus groups told the commission of their support for “radical” changes to the private rented sector.
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Housing organisations and individuals in the sector are being asked to give their views on how affordability issues could be addressed.
The commission has identified four groups it wants to help through its final recommendations: struggling renters, frustrated homeowners, people reliant on state support and older people facing affordability problems with their homes.
Lord Best said: “We are all acutely aware of the problems caused by the shortages and cost of housing and are keen to hear a range of views on how these problems can be ended.
“Although mindful of the practicalities and politics, we are hoping to bring together a small number of major policy initiatives which could make a dramatic difference.
“We would greatly welcome your help in focusing our attention on the issues that matter most to you.”
Evidence should be submitted by 4 April, with the commission due to publish its final recommendations in early 2020.
Full list of affordable housing commissioners:
- Lord Richard Best
- Claire Ainsley, executive director at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Sinéad Butters, chair of Placeshapers and chief executive of Aspire Housing
- Ian Fletcher, director of policy (real estate) at the British Property Federation
- Kenneth Gibb, professor of housing economics at the University of Glasgow
- Robert Grundy, head of housing at Savills
- Kate Henderson, chief executive of the NHF
- Lindsay Judge, senior research and policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation
- Geeta Nanda, chief executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley
- Jo Negrini, chief executive of Croydon Council
- Martin Newman, co-founder of housing charity Giroscope
- Jenny Osbourne, chief executive of Tpas
- John Slaughter, director of external affairs at the Home Builders Federation
- Gavin Smart, deputy chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing
- Dan Wilson Craw, director of Generation Rent
