Responding to the announcement by the Housing Secretary of how
the Government plans to deliver new homes, Cllr David Renard,
Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said:
“We are pleased the Government has acted on the LGA and
councils’ concerns about its proposed updates to the housing
formula.
“We have been clear all along that algorithms and formulas
can never be a substitute for local knowledge and decision-making
by councils and communities who know their areas best.
“It is good to see that future government investment will
support the building of new homes, where they are needed.
“It is right that councils should have access to funding to
support their ambitions, as they are in the best position to
determine local housing need, instead of this being prescribed
centrally.
“This should include reform to Right to Buy so councils can
keep receipts in full and set discounts locally, enabling them to
provide the housing communities need, supported by the required
services and infrastructure.
“With council housing waiting lists set to potentially
nearly double next year, we need to let councils embark on an
ambitious post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 social homes for
rent a year, which as well as reducing homelessness would also
deliver a £14.5 billion boost to the economy.
“The extra funding for brownfield development announced at
the Spending Review is positive. The LGA is working with the
Cabinet Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government, through the One Public Estate programme, to ensure
councils are supported to use this funding to best address their
local needs.”
