Kate Henderson’s Post

Is the UK’s conservative approach to housing development a recipe for stagnation? As we navigate the complexities of the UK’s housing crisis, it becomes increasingly clear that conservative policies and a lack of urgency among some public sector employees are contributing to a deadlock in innovation and progress. With a background in property development and finance, I’ve witnessed how outdated government policies and a bureaucratic mindset in the public sector are hampering the potential for real, impactful change in our industry. The Conservative government’s overly NIMBYist approach to housing development and urban planning is not just a barrier to innovation; it’s a blockade against the future. While the world moves forward with sustainable building practices, flexible finance models, and cutting-edge technology, the UK seems content with trailing behind, wrapped in red tape and complacency. Moreover, the inertia found within segments of the public sector, where you’d be forgiven for thinking planners spent 3 working days a week watching Netflix, is frustrating at best and detrimental at worst. While there are undoubtedly many hardworking public servants committed to change, the lack of drive and ambition in some quarters is a significant obstacle to progress. The question we must ask ourselves is: When will the UK break free from the chains of conservatism in housing policy and public sector lethargy? When will we embrace the innovative spirit needed to solve our housing crisis and build a future-ready nation? It’s time for bold action and radical reform. We need policies that reflect the urgency of our housing needs and public sector dynamism that matches the pace of technological advancement. Let’s demand more from our government and ourselves. Only then can we hope to lead in creating sustainable, vibrant communities for generations to come. #HousingCrisisUK #PolicyReform #PublicSectorInnovation #DemandMore

Couldn't agree more Michael. Unfortunately, this Tory administration is in the pockets of the house builders and lenders. After 14 years, the chances of any significant change are remote. Average house prices are nearly 8 x average earnings, nearly double the historical norm. Are we all happy to see ever more unaffordable house prices? When will we say enough is enough? The government wonders why it can't grow GDP. Yet it doesn't seem to have made the obvious connection between unaffordable house prices and a sinking economy. People's disposable income has been steadily reduced, particularly in recent years as mortgages and rents soar, alongside food, utilities etc. In my view, if we want the next generation to have a decent future, we need property prices to be included in the 2% inflation target, a stop or restrictions on all the demand-side measures and factors (Right to buy, Mortgage Guarantee scheme, shared ownership, land banking, foreign ownership (particularly in London)) and a radical increase supply-side. Social housing at scale, planning reform, and an end to MPs supporting their Nimby consituents.

Great to discuss the latest housing policy news at our monthly Regional Chairs meeting and to hear about the key issues that National Housing Federation members are facing across the country. Today’s meeting covered many topics including: 🏡The political landscape and engagement with the Government and Opposition in the lead up to the general election with our calls for a long term plan for housing https://lnkd.in/eQ5JNHyJ 🏡Three House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities select committee inquiries into planning reform, the finances and sustainability of the sector, and a new inquiry into shared ownership https://lnkd.in/gqfVYeq4 🏡The Regulator of Social Housing consultation on the Revised Consumer Standards and Code of Practice https://lnkd.in/ega9yadr 🏡The opportunities now grant funding from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) can now be used for regeneration projects and the need for this to be extended to the next AHP (beyond 2025) https://lnkd.in/eZ24bsV7 🏡And much much more…. Many thanks to our Regional Chairs for sharing feedback and insights from across the country! #socialhousing #ukhousing #regeneration

It’s polling day in the #GeneralElection! We can’t say this enough: the UK is experiencing a housing crisis, and we need the next government to commit to a #planforhousing. We’ve seen the manifestoes from the major parties, and housing’s place among the proposed policies is welcome. We just need the next government to deliver. Here’s a very broad overview of what the main parties have said about their plans for housing: - Conservatives: a target of 1.6 million new homes, focusing on different tenures and with emphasis on home ownership schemes like Help to Buy - Labour: Labour promises 1.5 million new homes, prioritising social rented homes and ensuring new developments provide more affordable housing - Liberal Democrats: a proposed 380,000 new homes annually, 150,000 of which to be social homes - Greens: a target of 150,000 new social homes per year, with significant investments into environmental sustainability through retrofit and insulating existing homes - Reform UK: reviewing the planning system to encourage development and a reform to social housing law to prioritise local people Also welcome are the commitments by the major parties to abolish Section 21 no fault evictions, and to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness. This is a very brief look at what the main parties have promised; but again, whatever happens, whichever party makes up the government needs to follow through on these commitments. #planforhousing #solvingthehousingcrisis #vote #housing #UKhousing #FlagshipGroup

At Housing 2024 we were delighted to welcome Sir Michael Lyons. Delegates heard his speech and we can share it far and wide today, the day of the general election, a day we all need to vote for the party that we believe can best fix the #ukhousing crisis. The Lyons review: then and now   It’s been 10 years since the publication of the Lyons review of housing supply. At Housing 2024 in Manchester Sir Michael reflect on progress since then and what should happen next. This is an abridged version of his speech.   When I chaired the review for Ed Miliband, who was preparing the Labour Party for the 2015 election, house building was still emerging slowly from terrible recession brought on by the Global Financial Crisis. The number of new homes being built had fallen to little more than 100,000 per annum and Ed was looking for a road map to tackle the crisis. The review made it abundantly clear we were failing to meet the needs of the next generation and set out practical measures to tackle what even then was a housing crisis of major proportions. This included an important role for public/private partnerships. Most of all, we stressed that Government does have the levers to drive output but will only be successful if housing is understood to be core to economic growth and a key part of our economic infrastructure. We also stressed that for these measures to succeed, every community had to make its own contribution in terms of both land provision and urgent building. Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/erCs5cA2

2023 was a disappointing year for housing production in New York, with low expectations for 2024. Governor Hochul is not keen on a major housing policy fight next year, leaving it to the Legislature. Key issues include affordable housing, tenant protections, and local housing supply incentives. Despite initial ambitious goals by Hochul and NYC Mayor Adams for new housing units, resistance in the state budget and Legislature stymied progress. While Hochul has launched some initiatives, comprehensive housing reform remains uncertain. At the city level, potential zoning reforms under the "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" plan offer some hope, but political challenges persist, as seen with Councilwoman Velázquez's defeat and Mayor Adams' strained relations with the City Council. The city's housing crisis is unlikely to improve soon, with policy changes still uncertain. #NYHousingCrisis #HousingProduction2023 #GovHochul #LegislativeChallenges #AffordableHousing #TenantProtection #HousingSupply #MayorAdamsGoals #StateBudgetIssues #CityLevelReforms #PoliticalChallenges #HousingPolicyDebate #NYCZoningReforms #CityofYesPlan #HousingCrisisContinues

This month, following remarks from Lt. Governor Driscoll and Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, CEDAC’s Roger Herzog joined with state housing agency leaders, including MassHousing’s Chrystal Kornegay and MHP (Massachusetts Housing Partnership)’s Clark Ziegler, to testify in front of the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets on the importance of passing the Affordable Homes Act – a bold package that will significantly increase opportunities to finance and produce much-needed affordable housing – especially for low-income households. https://lnkd.in/eCp4KXnu #FairHousingMonth #AffordableHomesAct

We’re seeing big housing targets in the political party manifestos this week and housing associations want to play a key role in delivery. BUT 15 years of cuts and reforms have undermined social housing and taken its toll. We want to see a long term #PlanForHousing, to rebuild capacity and deliver for people in housing need. https://lnkd.in/gxJHrvBK

Our Group CEO, Bjorn Howard's response to the General Election result: “It’s clear our country faces an acute housing shortage. We need a greater range of homes delivered at pace. It’s clear this new Labour government recognises the importance of building more new affordable and social rent homes, and quickly. We remain committed to helping inform the forecasted changes the new government plans to inject to make building more homes possible, especially around the planning system. “For our sector to have effective longer-term financial plans in place which meet the evolving needs of our customers, we need certainty and stability in areas like social rents. This allows us to focus on delivering safe, secure and comfortable homes and good customer service in a sustainable way. “Shared ownership should continue to play an important role in boosting the availability of affordable housing and providing a route to homeownership. Likewise, Community Land Trusts will be important in adding a local voice to development programmes and making sure the homes we build are right for our communities. “Housing associations have long been a crucial partner in enacting governments’ ambitions for housing – the same will certainly be true for an administration seeking to achieve the largest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation.” https://lnkd.in/eiVsEBkg #GeneralElection2024 #Housebuilding #SharedOwnership #AffordableHousing

The Regulator of Social Housing in preparing to implement reforms to its regulatory framework and approach which follow the #socialhousing #whitepaper and Social Housing (Regulation) Bill. Join the keynote session at the Regulation and Governance Conference this October. Will Perry - Regulator of Social Housing will share an update on all aspects of the changes that are coming, the wider operating context for social landlords, and the steps they need to take to prepare for the new regime. https://ow.ly/c5uJ50PAkvw Don't miss out on securing your place. Early bird discounts are still available, but time is running out, so book your delegate pass today. #HousingRG #housingregulation #housinggovernance #ukhousing