Labour’s plans for a council house revolution have been met with approval by organizations working to address the housing crisis. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has described the government’s overhaul of the planning system as a significant boost to social and affordable housing.
While specific targets for the number of social homes to be built annually were not mentioned, Ms. Rayner expressed an aspiration for an increase in social rent homes by the first full financial year of the new Parliament in 2025-26. This move has been seen as a positive step towards addressing the shortage of affordable housing.
Housing charity Shelter has welcomed these plans, suggesting that doubling the supply of social homes in a year could be a potential outcome. The organization has emphasized the importance of building 90,000 social homes annually to end homelessness and reduce pressure on the private rental market.
The Liberal Democrats have also called for specific targets on social homes, with a repeated request for the construction of 150,000 social homes per year. By setting clear expectations and targets at a local level, councils and developers can work towards meeting the housing needs of communities effectively.
Additionally, Riverside, an affordable housing developer and provider of homelessness services, has expressed support for the government’s commitment to planning reform. However, the organization stresses the importance of funding for new social housing to address the current crisis of families living in temporary accommodation.
Setting annual targets for the delivery of new social homes can create pressure on the system to achieve these goals, as noted by John Glenton, executive director of Riverside. The Local Government Association has also highlighted the need for urgent action to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing.
In conclusion, the focus on building more social and affordable housing is a crucial step towards addressing the housing emergency. By setting specific targets and expectations, the government, councils, and developers can work together to provide much-needed housing for communities across the country.
