, Interim Chief
Executive at Shelter, said: "Our
current system of housebuilding simply cannot deliver the homes
we need. People are paying the price with expensive and unstable
renting, as any dreams of home ownership slip away.
“With the forthcoming housing white paper, expected next
week, the government has a chance to end this crisis by
committing to new reforms which can deliver the genuinely
affordable homes to rent and buy this country urgently
needs.
“The government must not shy away from making major
reforms. The hopes and needs of millions of ordinary families on
low and middle incomes depend on this moment being
seized."
Suggested reforms
The key reforms we would propose revolve around making land
cheaper, as detailed in our full briefing paper. These include:
1. Government could set up a new generation of Development
Corporations with new powers to buy land up at cheaper prices
- It can then get land into the hands those who want to build the
high volumes of good quality and affordable homes that we need.
2. Public land should also be used differently
- Instead of being sold to the highest bidder, it should be
invested at lower up-front costs, in exchange for the better long
term returns and community benefits.
3. There should be tax penalties on developers that have
planning permissions, but aren’t building out.
For more in depth information on Shelter’s proposals for the
white paper, please see our policy blog here and our full
white paper briefing here.
