The Housing Forum seeks to increase both the supply and quality of new homes. It is focused on delivery through partnership working across the supply chain.
Achieving increased supply of the right homes and raising the quality of new homes are heavily impacted by wider economic conditions and the approach taken by Government through supply and demand side measures. The impact of Brexit and policy and investment decisions have the potential to immediately stimulate or contract market forces.
Unlike investment in other infrastructure, Government can commit to capital programmes and policies which realise immediate economic impacts in the lifetime of an administration and provides demonstrable outputs to voters.
Support for our manifesto for housing has already been received from the three major political parties and the reception has been positive.
The Housing Forum is calling for the Government to adopt the following 10-point manifesto for increasing supply and driving quality through partnerships.
Manifesto
Supply
- Developing more affordable homes
There is an historic supply-side deficit of affordable homes for both rent and shared ownership. Capital funding for affordable homes has not kept pace with population and household growth. This further imbalanced the market with the consequence that too many do not have access to homes which are affordable. Government should make an unequivocal commitment to funding an increased level of affordable homes. This would also assist with diversifying tenures to increase build out rates.
- Restoring balanced housing markets
Housing markets have become generationally unbalanced with many young people denied access to housing choice, living with parents or unable to buy a home of their own.
- Later living accommodation
There is a growing need to address the requirements to house an ageing population. Later living and initiatives designed to link adult social care budgets with a later living home building programme could deliver an integrated and cost-effective approach. This requires a broader view beyond individual departmental budgets. Extra care housing has proved that it costs the public sector less in care costs.
Manifesto
QUALITY
- Tackle the legacy of build quality Post-Grenfell
Significant issues of building quality have emerged, suggesting systemic problems across the construction sector. The findings of the Hackitt Review and reform of safety in buildings must be implemented quickly. Resolving these problems in existing buildings will require government support to building owners. The Government must commit to continue to elevate the quality of design and construction through placing consumer occupiers central to the process.
- Underpin a commitment to housing supply with strong and effective planning services
Our planning services are stressed and simply underperforming. This is acting as a barrier to the pace of delivery, frustrates SME formation and dampens investment. Very few projects achieve determinations in line with statutory deadlines and local authorities are light on resources and expertise. Reform which will enshrine quality is desperately required. There should be a presumption that reserved matter consents are delegated to officers.
- Reform public sector procurement
Public sector procurement obligations typically result in delays and numerous obligations to be satisfied before start on site, yet private sector organisations can come to site much faster. The pursuit of value for money through least-initial cost procurement has failed the industry in quality and resulted in high profile failures. The way construction is procured must change and post Brexit, the opportunity must be taken to reform this process and see construction as value added service with improved supply chain resilience.
Manifesto
Partnerships
- Appoint a Secretary of State for Housing
Political leadership is essential to deliver change. The appointment of a Secretary of State for Housing as a member of Cabinet should be a first step. It is essential that housing is recognised as a fundamental part of UK infrastructure and seen as a brief on its own.
- Enable and compel Local Authorities to commission supply
Local Authorities have new financial freedoms but not all are focussed on using these freedoms. The Government should use its capital funding tools to encourage and reward local authorities who are actively focussed on housing supply. We welcome the continued activity of Homes England acting as the Government’s housing accelerator and would increase the Agency’s engagement with local authorities, encouraging delivery partnerships.
- Future proof the industry
Built environment skills overall are well below industry needs, there is need to modernise the construction sector in line with the Farmer report and new technologies need to be integrated within the supply chain to support the Government’s climate change commitments. Clients should be incentivised to bring forward a larger pipeline of work with digital construction elements to enable investment in technology necessary to deliver Modern Methods at scale. A future Government should support this through a campaign to build the nation’s skills, encouraging diversity and digitisation.
- A cross-party long-term plan for housing
We want all political parties to commit collectively to support a long-term plan for housing which can last for several administrations and offer tenure choice and opportunities for all. This includes recognition that a strong housing proposition relies on consistency of supply which allows housing businesses to plan for the long term and achieve better value outcomes with suppliers, manufacturers and the full supply chain. Interface with the National Infrastructure Commission to facilitate better integration of housing delivery with infrastructure investment.
Baily Garner LLP, Ebury Bridge Centre
What our members say
‘With so much knowledge and experience to draw on, and a clear determination to ‘give something back’, joining The Housing Forum gives us not just a better understanding of the market we work in but an opportunity to channel our passion for quality to the greater good of the industry we serve and to shape it’s future.’
Baily Garner LLP
Featured image: Bristol City Council, Suffolk Close
What our members say
‘We believe our involvement with the Forum will help provide an opportunity to share information and exchange views with a network of leading professionals. We are particularly looking to capitalise on the greater flexibilities available for councils to build again, and in doing so, explore innovative ways to build the homes our citizens need both now and in the future.’
Bristol City Council
Cross Keys Homes, tenants walking from their home
What our members say
‘We joined The Housing Forum to have the opportunity to network and collaborate with other housing providers to establish best practice and make our voice heard.’
Cross Keys Homes
British Gypsum, Newham, Installation of Gyproc Habito
What our members say
‘We joined The Housing Forum to collaborate with other members who are looking to improve the quality of the homes they provide and share experiences of how this can be achieved. We want to challenge existing thinking and practices in the industry about what better really means and could look like.’
British Gypsum
NHBC, Inspectors on Site
What our members say
‘NHBC supports and promotes the excellent work of The Housing Forum, whose breadth of membership, thought-provoking working groups and regional events mean it identifies the real needs of the sector. The promotion of partnership across house building that is central to the Housing Forum’s purpose is key to NHBC, with all elements of the sector having a role in increasing the quality of new housing supply.’
NHBC
Switch2, Plant Room
What our members say
‘As specialists in energy saving and cost and carbon reduction solutions for the district heating and community heating market, Switch2 appreciates the opportunity to engage with cross-sector housing professionals and to have an opportunity to share best practice and our experience and expertise.’
Switch2
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