Briefing on Housing Announcements
Earlier in the month the government made several significant housing announcements, following on from the spending review. The NHC sent out an email briefing to all members summarising the changes and what they mean for the social housing in the North.
A summary of the different announcements and links to the full briefing articles are below.
We are responding to Government consultations on implementation of rent convergence, the new Decent Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). As part of our engagement with members we’re holding the following roundtables:
30th July 2 – 3:30pm Implementation of Rent Convergence Roundtable
5th August 10 – 11:30am Decent Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
6th August 2 – 3:30pm Policy Network – all three consultations will be discussed here.
You can find out more about the events and book you place via MyNHC.
Government Housing Announcements:
New five step plan for housing: The government has published a new five step plan for social and affordable housing ‘Delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing’. This high-level strategy sets out how the Government will work with the housing sector to increase the amount of social rent homes and improve quality.
Further details of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme revealed: Details of the new programme have been confirmed including that 60% of funding will be for social rent and that there will be flexibility to support regeneration, a key priority in the North.
Government announces consultation on how to reintroduce rent convergence: The government has launched a consultation on how to implement rent convergence, with a suggested rate of £1 – £2 per week.
Reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes: The long-awaited consultation on the new Decent Homes Standard has now launched and will be open until 10th September.
Reforming the Right to Buy: The Government has published its response to a consultation on the Right to Buy, including strengthened protections for new-build properties and a longer qualification period for existing tenants.
Health and Safety Hazards in Social Housing: ‘Awaab’s Law’ and Electrical Safety Requirements: Further details have been published by the Government on the implementation of Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law, set to come into force in October 2025.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation launched: The Government is consulting on new, stronger Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). This includes proposals for all social housing homes to meet be a minimum of EPC C by 2030 and changes to the EPC rating system.
New National Housing Bank: A new subsidiary of Homes England will be established by the Government to support the development of 500,000 new homes. This is good news for the North as it should boost delivery of new homes, particularly on more complex sites, such as those on brownfield land.
New Government support for councils to increase housebuilding: New funding has been announced to help local authorities increase their housing and planning capacity.
On the day of the announcements NHC Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:
“This package of Government announcements has struck a balance between delivering much-needed new social housing and ensuring the quality of existing homes. We especially welcome the Government retaining flexibility in the Social and Affordable Homes Programme for funding to be used to replace existing homes. Housing-led regeneration has a significant role to play in making sure everyone in the North has access to a safe, warm home in a place they’re proud of.
“Confirmation that the new Decent Homes Standard will be applied to the private rented sector, as well as the social rented sector, is welcome news for Northerners, with over a quarter of private rented homes in the North not meeting the current standard. We will be working closely with members on a detailed consultation response but are pleased the Government is proposing a ten-year implementation period.
“We are optimistic that the combination of confirmation of quality standards and long-term rent certainty will offer members the stability they need to plan investment in homes and places.”
