The Housing Advisers Programme, an innovative scheme set up by
the Local Government Association to help councils overcome
housing challenges in their local areas, is opening for bids
today.
Last year, more than 40 projects across the country were
supported through the programme for the first time, with councils
launching initiatives on everything from increasing housebuilding
to reducing homelessness in their communities.
The Programme funds the provision of an independent expert for
councils undertaking specific projects to tackle the effects of
the housing crisis in local communities – including on housing
delivery, planning for homes, and reducing homelessness.
Each project will take its lead from the local communities they
are based in, with the adviser supplied to the local authority
offering expertise and advice to help councils achieve their
objectives. The best practice and lessons learned from each
project will be shared with councils and embedding into the
sector-led improvement currently on offer from the LGA.
The Programme launches against a backdrop of rising house prices
and homelessness. There continues to be an ongoing shortfall of
new homes supplied in England, with the net additional dwellings
supplied last year 217,350, a marked increase on recent years and
yet still 80,000 homes short of the 300,000 it is widely agreed
are needed each year.
As well as the ongoing efforts through the Programme, the LGA is
calling on the Government to trigger a renaissance in council
house-building. This needs to include lifting the housing
borrowing cap for all councils and allowing them to keep 100 per
cent of Right to Buy Receipts.
The Housing Advisers Programme aims to help councils deliver
local priorities. Expressions of interest can be sent in from the
today and will close on 26 June, and details on how to submit
applications can be found on the LGA Website or by
emailing housingadvisers@local.gov.uk.
Cllr Martin Tett, LGA Housing spokesman, said:
“The Housing Advisers Programme can make a huge difference to
councils and the communities they serve. Over the last year, more
than 40 local authorities have been supported to tackle our
shortage of homes at the local level, and it can make a hugely
positive difference, from tackling homelessness to encouraging
housebuilding.
“However, there’s only so much councils can do on their own,
which is why we continue to call on the Government to lift the
housing borrowing cap across the country and enable councils to
keep 100 per cent of the receipts from sales of homes under Right
to Buy.
“The Programme aims to help councils deliver local priorities,
and can be valuable source of expertise to councils wishing to
innovate and improve in their efforts to build more homes, reduce
homelessness, and plan prosperous places and economies.
“It’s well worth councils who haven’t already done so looking at
the programme and seeing how it can benefit them – a simple visit
to the website is all that’s needed.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The Housing Advisers Programme will fund adviser support for
up to £14,000 to each council, and up to £28,000 for a smaller
number of larger projects. To find out more, visitwww.local.gov.uk/housing-advisers-programme
