Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing
Federation, said:
“The Chancellor’s decision to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance is
one we’ve long been calling for, and will mean that people at the
sharp end of the housing crisis will be helped to keep up with
increasing rents. This action, along with the decision to uplift
benefits payments in line with inflation, will give millions of
people struggling with living costs some much needed relief.
However, we’re concerned that tougher rules and potential benefit
reductions for people who are unable to find a job will result in
increased hardship.
“We also welcome the additional £3bn for the Affordable Homes
Guarantee Scheme which can be accessed to finance works to
improve the quality of existing homes as well as for new much
needed affordable housing.
“It is hugely disappointing that the government has not used this
Autumn statement to release the full £3.8bn Social Housing
Decarbonisation Fund. This will impact on housing
associations’ ability to make homes energy efficient at scale and
pace, saving residents money and helping to alleviate fuel
poverty, creating thousands of jobs and decarbonising our homes.
We urge the Government to bring this funding forward soon as
possible and before the Spring Budget.
“Increased investment in planning capacity is the right thing to
do. However, the money should be ringfenced and have greater
flexibility so it succeeds in removing barriers to the delivery
of thousands of homes stuck in the planning system.
“While the Autumn Statement has brought some positive news, we
need government to commit to a long-term plan to fix the housing
crisis in order to make a real difference to the millions of
people in housing need.”
