NHC submits response to rent convergence consultation

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This week, the NHC submitted our response to the government’s consultation on how to implement rent convergence as part of the next social housing rent policy.

In our response we said that we believe convergence should be reintroduced from 1st April 2026, permitted at a level of £2 per week and for at least 10 years in duration, aligned with the wider ten year rent policy of CPI+1%.

For landlords in the North of England, convergence at £2 per week for 10 years would increase total rental income by £1.73 billion. This benefit would be split almost evenly between local authority landlords and housing associations (52% vs 48% respectively).

A policy of £2 per week also ensures that the vast majority of the benefit of convergence can be achieved within the next few years. This means that additional income can be used within this parliament to deliver on several of the government’s housing ambitions, including building 1.5 million new homes and delivering new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for social homes.

Patrick Murray, Executive Director of Policy and External Relations, said:

Rent convergence is an important lever that will unlock greater investment in new and existing homes across the North. A £2 per week policy would not only deliver greater financial capacity for landlords in the North—it would do so faster, enabling meaningful reinvestment in this parliament. Crucially, a policy of £2 per week over ten years strikes the right balance between enabling greater investment by landlords and ensuring that rents remain affordable for residents. 

 You can read our full submission here.

Call for applications for MHCLGs Social Housing Resident’s Panel

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MHCLG have announced the opportunity for social housing tenants to join the Social Housing Resident’s Panel. The Panel’s purpose is to ensure that social housing residents have a direct vehicle to engage with government ministers and officials, to make sure that tenants voices, views and experiences inform social housing policy and delivery.

Within this opportunity residents on the panel will have the chance to provide feedback on government housing policies and proposals, share their lived experience and insights on housing issues and participate in discussions and research activities with government ministers and officials.

In terms of eligibility, the panel consists of social housing residents, including those who live in homes for social rent, affordable rent, and low-cost home ownership. New panel members will be selected to join existing panel members, to ensure the Panel is representative of different regions, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds

Interested residents can apply to join the panel by visiting the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/et8Z2Q3JKc

The closing date for applications is Sunday 7th September, 23:00

We’d like to encourage members to promote this with their tenants to ensure that Northern tenant’s voices are represented on the panel. It is especially important at such a crucial time for the sector, with both DHS and MEES reform, as well as the major ambitions of the government on building new social and affordable homes, that there are strong tenant voices to help support both agendas.

 

Building the Future: Northern Homes, National Ambition 

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On Monday 29 September, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, we will be holding a joint event – Building the Future: Northern Homes, National Ambition – with Homes for the North at Labour Party conference.

One year into a new government, housing and regeneration are once again central to delivering growth and transforming Northern communities. Planning reform, infrastructure investment and a renewed focus on affordable homes are shaping some of the most ambitious targets in a generation – placing delivery firmly in the spotlight.

The Northern Housing Consortium, with Homes for the North and Muse, are embarking upon a new Inquiry exploring where next for housing-led regeneration in the North.

Our reception will bring together sector partners, parliamentarians, metro mayors and council leaders to discuss how the North is leading the way in turning ambition into action.

Set in the heart of the conference fringe, the evening will offer a relaxed space to:

  • Discuss the North’s progress on housing delivery
  • Engage with national, regional and local government leaders
  • Connect with the housing associations shaping the future of housing and place-making
  • Find out more about the new Inquiry on housing-led regeneration in the North

 This is a key moment to reflect on what’s been achieved – and to look ahead at how housing can drive growth, renewal, and opportunity across the North.

The reception will be held at PlusDane offices, conveniently located adjacent to the main conference venue.

Any NHC members who wish to attend should email: ellie.nagy@lexcomm.co.uk

Unlocking Success gives “a renewed sense of hope and motivation”, Miriam’s Story

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One of this year’s Unlocking Success Bursary Scheme recipients shared how the bursary is helping with the next step in her career.

The Unlocking Success Bursary Scheme, funded through the Northern Housing Consortium Charitable Trust, provides £500 grants to social housing residents across the North of England who are pursuing education, training, or employment opportunities. The bursary is designed to remove practical barriers, whether that’s covering course fees, buying equipment, or supporting travel costs, so recipients can focus on building their future.

Miriam, a Bolton at Home tenant, said:

“When I received the call from my housing support officer…I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. It was such an encouraging and uplifting moment.

“Thank you once again for this generous support—it has truly given me a renewed sense of hope and motivation.”

Miriam is completing a Skills Bootcamp and preparing to start a Level 2 Adult Health and Social Care course this September. The bursary will help her purchase a computer, making job applications more manageable and improving the chances of finding meaningful work in the field.

To learn more about the bursary, visit https://bursary.northern-consortium.org.uk.

To book a place at this year’s bursary celebration and fundraiser, contact Lynda Redshaw on: Lynda.redshaw@northern-consortium.org.uk

NHC responds to government consultation on the Fair Funding Review

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Last week, we submitted a detailed response to the government’s Fair Funding Review, calling for a funding system that reflects the real needs of the North, supports the long-term sustainability of councils and enables them to deliver the services their communities value.

In our submission, we said:

The North Has Shouldered the Heaviest Cuts
Since 2010/11, local authorities in the North have seen a 30.2% drop in net expenditure—more than the national average. These cuts have hit non-statutory services hardest, from street cleaning and community safety to libraries and housing strategy. We believe the Fair Funding Review must address this imbalance and restore spending power in these areas.

Homelessness Costs Are Escalating
Spending on homelessness and temporary accommodation in the North has more than trebled in five years, now exceeding £270 million annually. We support proposals to simplify funding streams and giving councils the flexibility to respond effectively, but funding allocations will need to reflect the scale of the challenge.

Reinvesting in Housing Capacity
To ensure that councils can support the government in delivering its 1.5 million home target, both directly through building new council homes and working with the private sector, we’re calling for dedicated funding to rebuild housing and planning capacity within councils—supporting the delivery of new homes aligned with local priorities. Between 2010/11 and 2024/25, net expenditure on housing strategy, enabling and advice has fallen by 71% in real terms, while expenditure on development control, building control and planning policy has fallen by 51%.

The Area Cost Adjustment (ACA) Needs Reform
Under current proposals, the ACA will result in a reduction of funding for the most deprived areas. Of the 79 authorities set to lose out, 46 are in the North. Instead, the ACA should explicitly consider deprivation as part of its calculations or introduce a funding floor to protect the poorest areas.

Statutory Duties Risk Crowding Out Community Services
The growing burden of statutory services—especially adult and children’s social care—is squeezing out investment in wider services that are highly valued by residents across the North. Expenditure on cultural and related services (community centres, libraries, heritage, recreation etc.) has reduced by 45% in real terms since 2010/11. Statutory services provide vital support for some of the most vulnerable in society, but this overwhelming burden and the subsequent reduction in non-statutory service provision risks eroding public trust and community cohesion.

We Need Long-Term Investment in Local Services
Restoring funding for non-statutory services to 2010/11 levels would cost £1.1bn annually—just 3.3% of the North’s local authority revenue budget. This investment would be transformative, helping us rebuild pride in place and support better homes and neighbourhoods.

 The Fair Funding Review is a critical opportunity to reset the balance. We’re calling on government to ensure that funding reflects the real challenges the North faces and empowers our members to build and support great places across the North.

“This is a key moment for housing and local government in the North. If we want to build thriving communities, improve housing quality for private renters and deliver the homes people need, restored council capacity will need to play a key role in delivery. The Fair Funding Review is a great opportunity to put local authorities on a more sustainable financial footing and in a position to deliver on the government’s agenda across this parliament.”
Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive, NHC