Briefings
Regulation under the new regime for England: an HQN survey
Network briefing by Janis Bright and Alistair McIntosh
Development for registered providers - some current issues
Network briefing by Peter Atkinson
Council self-financing and stock transfer: the housing association perspective
Network briefing by Robin Tebbutt
Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England
Network briefing by Janis Bright
The new Scottish homelessness framework: progress towards priority for all by 2012
Network briefing by Isobel Anderson
The affordable rents system: how many homes, at what cost?
Network briefing by Janis Bright
Rural affordable housing and the Community Right to Build
Network briefing by Emma Cooke
Local enterprise partnerships and the Regional Growth Fund
Network briefing by Charlie Hughes
Comprehensive Spending Review: 80% market rents and new build
Complimentary hf:expert briefing by Robin Tebbutt, Alistair McIntosh and Kate Murray
News
Welsh Government targets 12,500 homes during term of government
The Welsh Government has set an ambitious target of providing 12,500 homes during this term of Government, Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis announced today
Kevin McCloud to support the self-build surge
Self-build industry champion and new £30 million fund will boost the self build revolution
HCA sets out commitment to public land ambition
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has revealed its sites set to be released for development to help meet local needs for housing, jobs and growth
Assembly Committee calls for more action on affordable housing
A new report from a National Assembly for Wales committee is calling for more action from the Welsh Government on the provision of affordable housing
Grant Shapps: Help to get boxed-in generation up the property ladder
Minister pledges to help those growing out of their properties
Grow your own: skills and infrastructure for local economic growth
NLGN’s report – Grow Your Own: Skills and Infrastructure for Local Economic Growth, kindly supported by BT and Kent Country Council – argues local government must seize a new role as social venture capitalists to unblock stalled developments and seed fund new jobs. NLGN urges councils to collaborate in setting up ‘Revolving Investment Funds
£5 million Houses to Homes fund open for business
The new ‘Houses to Homes’ Recyclable Loans Fund enables local authorities to offer interest free loans to landlords to renovate empty run-down residential properties and return them to use as homes for sale or rent
London rents unaffordable
Renting a two-bedroom home in London is unaffordable for families earning less than £52,000, Shelter has revealed today
Streamlining the planning system
Planning Minister Derek Mackay has today outlined plans to improve efficiency and streamline the planning system, including linking increases in fees to improved performance by planning authorities
Study reveals total impact of Decent Homes on tenants’ lives
A landmark study into the impact of Decent Homes work has shown that the effects go wider than just physically improving properties
New rules to ensure fair play on planning
Local Government Minister Bob Neill today published a radically streamlined planning policy that will ensure fair treatment of travellers in the planning system while respecting the interests of the settled community
Housing plan on track
The Scottish Government is making clear progress on delivering its key housing plans, Housing Minister Keith Brown said today
HCA confirms very first Empty Homes Funding to
Ninety five housing associations, local authorities and other providers are set to deliver over 5,600 new affordable homes
10% of affordable homes set for vulnerable and older
Almost 10% of the Homes and Communities Agency’s (HCA) Affordable Homes Programme is set to be delivered as supported housing and housing for older people, according to a new report
Taxpayers get more for their money on construction projects
Radical changes to public sector construction will lead to up to 20% fall in costs of building schools, hospitals and roads
London to take control of its Olympic legacy, public land and funding
Eric Pickles announces £3billion of funding for the GLA for housing and regeneration in London
Making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people
PM announces a new round of government funding
Affordable Rented Housing: Creating flexibility for landlords and better outcomes for communities
Consultation on giving social landlords greater freedom in how they allocate and manage their housing, and more tools to tackle the difficulties communities are facing
Lancashire Housing association claims first start on site payment under Affordable Homes Programme
Adactus Housing Association is the first housing association anywhere in the country to make a successful start on site claim under the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA) Affordable Homes Programme
Too much focus on city regions
Baroness Quin argues that rural areas are left isolated with few economic opportunities
Strong response to get Britain building
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) today confirmed that it has received a strong response under the £420m Get Britain Building Programme, and announced the first funding allocations under a special commissioning stage running alongside the main bidding process
Planning rules eased for home improvements (Scotland)
New rules come in to force on February 6, 2012 to make it easier for people to make changes to their homes
Scottish Government: survey of vacant and urban derelict land in Scotland
The only national data source for vacant and derelict land – a co-operative effort between local authorities and the Scottish Government
Scottish Government: review of community planning
Community planning review being carried out in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
Bringing empty homes back into use: application guidance for community and voluntary groups
Meeting local housing demand – a guide for elected members
HCA and LGA publication argues that councils are central to tackling the housing crisis
Housing strategy debated in Lords: “housing should be a focus for the coalition”
Click the link above to read the full transcript
Councils should help older people live at home for longer
An update on the FreeSpace project, New Deal for Older People, further DFG allocations and HIAs and FirstStop
Historic powers in the Localism Act pass down to communities
Two months on from Royal Assent of the Act, a commencement order has officially brought into effect much of this flagship legislation. This DCLG summary outlines some of the legislation
House Price Index – November 2011
Average house prices increased by 0.2% over the quarter to November, compared to no change over the quarter to August
Consultation response: House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee Report of Session 2010-12: Regeneration (Cm 8264)
Command Paper containing the government's formal response to the recommendations and conclusions set out in the Communities and Local Government Committee's report on regeneration
New Build Indemnity scheme
Aims to support people who have a small deposit of at least 5% to buy a new home
DCLG consultation: changes to land use change statistics, rationalised collection of local authority housing statistics and publication of regional statistics
Responses sought by 2 April 2012
Circular: building regulations 2010 – Equality Act clarification
Circular: building regulations 2010 – Equality Act clarification
HCA announces Traveller pitch funding allocations to 2015
33 housing associations, local authorities and other providers are set to deliver around 600 new Traveller pitches
Local Enterprise Partnership summaries
A further 14 partnerships have been announced since October 2010. An overview of each of the LEP's, along with a coverage map for each area, can be found here
IPPR report: delivering reform of the building sector to meet the UK’s housing and economic challenges
Are Britain’s big builders willing and able to deliver the new houses we need?
£420m fund to get Britain building again in 2012
The Get Britain Building Fund is expected to unlock up to 16,000 homes on sites that are currently stalled, and help create up to 30,000 jobs in construction and related industries
DCLG consultation: reinvigorating Right to Buy and one for one replacement
Comments sought by 2 February 2012
Age, home and community: a strategy for housing for Scotland's older people 2012 – 2021
Sets out vision, direction, information and advice, making better use of existing housing and preventative support services and new build housing for older people
Scottish Government: affordable housing scheme
Scottish ministers urging house builders to join the National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative
TSA: Claer Lloyd-Jones' December 2011 letter to providers
Covers the Royal Assent of the Localism Act 2011, the transfer of regulation to the HCA, an update on the revised regulatory framework statutory consultation, information and links to the latest publication of the TSA Quarterly Survey, the development of the Homes and Communities Agency's equalities duties and the news that Matthew Bailes will transfer to the HCA as Director of Regulation from April 2012
Supporting local growth
DCLG report highlighting the progress made with the introduction of Local Enterprise Partnerships, Enterprise Zones, the Regional Growth Fund and Growing Places Fund
Scottish Government: evaluation of using co-production in local housing strategies
Findings from the evaluation of two pilots using co-production as a method of working with disabled people to ensure their needs are addressed in local housing strategies
HCA toolkit: community engagement
Online toolkit to recognise what community engagement looks like, how to be open to innovation and how to explore new ideas to meet local needs
Welsh Government: new house building, April to June 2011 and July to September 2011
A small increase in the number of new dwellings started during 2010-11 compared with the previous two years
House Price Index – October 2011
Average house prices increased by 0.6% over the quarter to October, compared to a decrease of 0.6% over the quarter to July
Scottish Government: millions invested in new homes
“In the face of Westminster cuts we will also boost housing supply by using innovative financing methods, driving maximum value for every single pound of taxpayers' money”
Scottish Government: regeneration strategy (achieving a sustainable future)
“Setting out a clear shared vision for a fairer and more sustainable future is increasingly important in the context of devolved responsibility for local regeneration”
Scottish Government: funding to tackle poverty
The £50 million SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres) Fund is open for business
Circular letter: Building Regulations 2010 - Equality Act clarification
Compliance with the requirements of Part M does not signify compliance with the much broader obligations and duties set out in the Equality Act. This is a source of frequent misunderstanding
Welsh Government consultation: meeting the housing challenge – building a consensus for action
Comments sought by 17 February 2012
Attitudes to housing, planning and changing policies
A NatCen Social Research report (British Social Attitudes 28)
DCLG report: Lifetime Neighbourhoods
DCLG report: how can ageing, design, housing, transport, participation and green spaces can be linked when creating Lifetime Neighbourhoods?
Charity pressures councils over million empty homes
Empty Homes has urged the government to pressure local authorities to create more affordable homes
Works underway to build first council houses in York in over 20-years
19 new eco friendly council houses with HCA funding
HQN council tenants' guide
We are pleased to offer your organisation a complimentary copy of the HQN Residents' Network guide to help tenants through the process of a stock options review.
£430m cash bonus for communities who have built homes
The second year of cash payments through New Homes Bonus will total over £430 million, more than double the first year's payment
“Homes on the farm”
Andrew Stunell calls on farmers and rural councils to "think outside the box" to deliver more affordable housing
£71 million to end the legacy of England's ghost streets
New fund to help tackle the 'ghost streets' left by the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder programme – view the project allocations here
Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England
New strategy to deliver homes and strengthen the economy
New Build Indemnity scheme – supports those with only 5% deposit
House builders put 3.5% of the sale price into an indemnity fund. In the event of repossession within 7 years, the fund is used to cover any losses realised by the lender. Government adds a set percentage guarantee
Count of Gypsy and Traveller caravans
The total number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans in England in July 2011 was approximately 18,600.This is about 400 more than the total in July 2010
House building: September quarter 2011, England
23,410 housebuilding starts – a decrease of 1% on previous quarter
Housing demand will exceed the size of Birmingham by 2015, warns FMB
Report also states that the number of small house builders is at the lowest since 1982 because of escalating costs and regulatory burdens
House Price Index – September 2011
Average house prices increased by 0.6% over the quarter to September, compared to a quarterly decrease of 0.8% over the quarter to June
Indecision stalling councils' regeneration plans
Whitehall currently only has plans to allow four councils to take part in the next round of Community Budgets
Scottish Government: green infrastructure – design and placemaking
For planners, landscape architects, developers and housebuilders to give practical tips on incorporating green infrastructure in masterplans
£500 million Growing Places Fund
Available to get stalled sites for housing development moving again; provide additional funding for infrastructure projects already in the pipeline; and promote wider economic growth
The government “has produced no adequate 'strategy' for regeneration”
Statement from the Communities and Local Government Committee report on regeneration strategy
Affordable Homes Programme – 50 agreements have now been completed
This brings the total value of contracts signed to date to over £700m
Build now or pay later? Funding new housing supply
Report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
Scottish Government: compulsory purchase and compensation
A guide for owners, tenants and occupiers in Scotland
Scottish planning series: compulsory purchase order (planning circular 6)
Sets out policy on the use of compulsory purchase orders in Scotland
Government moves ahead with plans to abolish Regional Plans and protect the Green Belt
Pressure to build on the Green Belt is being removed with the revocation of Regional Plans according to environmental assessments published today
Short sighted planning changes putting public health at risk, says CIEH
Concerns that the draft National Policy Framework document gives much less attention to issues such as noise, air pollution and contaminated land than the current guidance
Green Infrastructure Partnership: urban green spaces set to grow
Launched by environment minister and planning minister to support development of green networks in urban areas. Workshop to be held in November 2011 to agree membership, roles and next steps
Members announced for Welsh planning review's independent advisory group
The review is to consider planning services in Wales. Reporting due in summer 2012
Scottish planning series: disposal of surplus government land (planning circular 5)
Sets out the revised non-statutory ‘Crichel Down Rules’ under which surplus
House price index – August 2011
Average house prices remain unchanged over the quarter to August, compared to a quarterly decrease of 0.2% over from the quarter to May
Community Infrastructure Levy: collection and enforcement
Proposals, including draft regulations on the reform of the Community Infrastructure Levy for consultation
NIHE publication: rural matters
Rural housing unfitness has decreased from 26% in 1974 to 4% in 2009
Key role for HCA in government plans for land
HCA to have a key role to play in plans to release public land to build up to 100,000 new homes by 2015
Scottish Government: investing in housing despite UK cuts
Housing minister reaffirms commitment to deliver 30,000 completed affordable homes by the end of this parliament
Basic Public Request to Order Disposal land owners cover letter and questionnaire
A letter and questionnaire used to seek further information from the landowner once a Public Request to Order Disposal request has been received
Accelerating the release of public sector land
Summary report and update following announcement in June of plans to accelerate the release of public sector land to deliver up to 100,000 homes within the CSR
Affordable housing supply, England, 2010-2011
39,170 new affordable homes were provided for social rent in 2010-11
Independent advisory group looks at planning in Wales
Announcement of review to consider how planning services in Wales should be delivered in the future
48% of local authorities will be without a planning Core Strategy on 1 April 2012
Research suggested by the Campaign to Protect Rural England
Scottish Government report: Directorate for Planning and Environment Appeals
Review of the work of the DPEA in 2010-2011
Response to claims that planning reforms will result in more Green Belt and greenfield developments
Statement from DCLG
Scottish Government statistical bulletin: affordable housing securing planning consent survey 2010/11
Latest figures for consents for affordable housing
Response to claims that planning reforms will lead to more unauthorised traveller sites
Statement from Bob Neill, Minister for Local Government
Growth boost as HCA launches new Economic Assets Programme
The process to transfer the £300m RDA land and property assets to the HCA completed today, signalling the launch of the HCA’s newest delivery programme
FirstBuy already helping our military families
Grant Shapps has today congratulated the first member of the Armed Forces to benefit from FirstBuy
Better understanding of performance and costs of planning system needed
Audit Scotland report: modernising the planning system finds planning applications have fallen by 29% over the past six years
Welsh Government provides £3 million in new approach to meet social housing needs
Four of Wales’ social housing providers work together to meet the country’s housing demands – hopes for extra 150 affordable homes
£200 million will finance thousands of affordable homes across Scotland
Scottish Government's £55 million Innovation and Investment Fund (IIF) is being matched by almost three times that amount from councils, housing associations and private developers
Architects say new houses are 'shameful shoebox homes'
The BBC reports that many new houses in the UK are too small for family life
Cities to bid for new powers to spark economic growth
New clauses to the Localism Bill should mean England's biggest cities can drive faster growth
Community-led regeneration: a Scottish Government review of literature
Discusses the role of the community and social governance in community-led regeneration and examples of models and case studies from the UK
National Planning Policy Framework: myth-buster
A consultation is currently underway on the National Planning Policy Framework. This document explains some commonly held misconceptions
Scottish Government: kick start for housing development
The Housebuilding Infrastructure Loan Fund
Planning reforms boost local power and growth
Joint article by the Secretary of State and the Chancellor
More communities chosen to try out new planning powers
Planning Minister Greg Clark has announced 36 more front-runner areas to test out neighbourhood planning
DCLG consultation: streamlining council housing asset management
Disposals and use of receipts – comments sought by 17 November 2011
Council house building boom
800 new council houses in West Lothian – the first to be built in the region since 1983
Eleven new enterprise zones announced
New zones include Gosport, Great Yarmouth, Newquay, Northampton and Warrington bringing the total to 22 zones
Borders homes for rent
Housing Minister kick-starts the construction of dozens of new affordable homes in the Borders
Proposals to introduce a Community Right to Buy consultation: DCLG summary of responses
(Assets of Community Value)
Letter to Chief Planning Officers
Planning support for businesses and shops (following riots)
BBC news in pictures – changing styles of housing for people on low incomes
Ian Colquhoun gives an overview of some of the some of the most significant housing projects built for those on low incomes
Quality improvements to new house building statistics
Looks at the accuracy data currently collected on new house building in Wales
District heating good practice – learning from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund (LCIF)
HCA guidance and case studies for LAs
Proposals to introduce a Community Right to Challenge consultation: DCLG summary of responses
Responses to the proposals to introduce a Community Right to Challenge consultation published on 4 February 2011
A new code for letting agents
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has completed stage one of the OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) for its lettings code
RDA coalfield assets transfer to HCA now complete
The 52 coalfield assets include land at Avenue Coking Works in the East Midlands, Bickershaw Colliery (South) in Greater Manchester, employment and public open space at Betteshanger in Kent and also at Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire
Four new enterprise zones announced
New zones in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Sheffield to accelerate local economic growth and could create over 24,000 new jobs by 2015
Land use change statistics (England) 2010 – provisional estimates
76% of dwellings (including conversions) were built on previously-developed land, a decrease from 80 per cent in 2009
Letter to Chief Planning Officers: Planning Guarantee and information requirements
Letter to local planning authorities regarding the Planning Guarantee and information requirements
Greg Clark sets out guarantee to local communities on simplifying planning system
Background information on the new 'Planning Guarantee'
Delivering new affordable rent homes without HCA funding
TSA and HCA guidance for delivery of new affordable rent homes – for those not in receipt of HCA funding under the Affordable Homes Programme
AMT and ACRE guide – making the most of Community Led Planning
A useful best practice guide for local authorities by Action for Market Towns and Action with Communities in Rural England
HCA approach to deliver housing ambitions
Download the corporate plan outlining targets for affordable housing delivery over the next four years
Draft National Planning Policy Framework impact assessment
To be read in conjunction with the draft policy framework
DCLG consultation: draft National Planning Policy Framework
Comments sought by 17 October 2011
National Self Build Association plan to promote growth of self-build housing in the UK
NaSBA plan calls to make more land available for self-builders and more finance/mortgages
First government mutual joint venture goes live
The first ever public sector mutual joint venture was officially created today, it will offer over 475 staff at My Civil Service Pension (MyCSP) co-ownership of their organisation
HCA announces successful bidders for £1.8bn affordable homes funding
View further details on the programme and the bidders
Affordable Homes Programme set to exceed expectations
Government believes it’s on track to deliver up to 170,000 new homes by 2015
NIHE 2011/2012 District Housing Plans released
View or download the plans for each of the 26 District Councils
Welsh Government: major changes proposed to Communities First
Sets out the major changes the Welsh Government proposes to make to its Communities First programme from April 2012
RDA land and property assets transferred to the HCA
Process due for completion on 19 September 2011
Public attitudes to housing in England – 86% of people want to buy a home
Findings from a housing module of the British Social Attitudes survey commissioned in 2009
English Housing Survey 2009-10 household report
67% of the 21.6 million households in England in 2009-10 were owner-occupiers, 17% were social renters, and 16% were private renters
English Housing Survey - housing stock report 2009
8.8 million (38%) of the 22.3 million dwellings in England in 2009 were built before 1945, 4.8 million (21%) before 1919
Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) annual report 2010
Includes comment on Lifetime Home Standards
Scottish Government support for First-time buyer help
Homes for Scotland awarded £250k to develop mortgage indemnity scheme
DCLG issues paper: how change of use is handled in the planning system
An invitation to submit evidence of any issues with the operation of the current system and areas for possible change
Planning applications: January to March 2011 (England)
12,000 residential applications, unchanged from March 2010 quarter
Top-down targets have failed to deliver more homes
The abolition of Regional Strategies and reforms of the planning system are central to boosting homes
Letter to Chief Planning Officers: Design and Planning
Letter to LAs to update on changes to the government's approach on design and planning
Impact assessment for Affordable Rent
Appraises costs and benefits of delivering affordable housing under the new Affordable Rent model
Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing – replaced guidance
Following on from the recent consultation, this replaces Planning Policy Guidance 3: Housing, published in March 2000
Consultation response: affordable housing definition
Government responses to the consultation on the PPS3: Housing definition of affordable housing
Government plans release of land from Whitehall grip to build 100,000 homes
Plans to release enough land from Whitehall's grip to build as many as 100,000 new homes and support as many as 25,000 jobs by 2015
HCA development and land disposal strategy – land released for 3,000 homes
Approach to accelerating land disposal – plus list of accelerated sites allowing 3,000 extra homes to start on site over the next four years
SIGnet: spatial analysis tool launched by the HCA
Accessible for free to all of the HCA’s Local Authority or central government partners that are covered by the Public Sector Mapping Agreement. Click for further details
Area Wide Viability Model
Can be used by LAs and the HCA to test the deliverability of residential development sites across an area and analyse their relative viability
