Labour must push ahead on housing ambitions, says Norfolk groups
It's 100 days since Sir Keir Starmer took power. With Labour winning manifesto featuring a range of promises on housing
The Government need to push on and deliver on their wide-reaching plans for housing, according to two housing groups in Norfolk.
It's comes exactly 100 days since Sir Keir Starmer took power. With Labour winning manifesto- featuring plans to build 1.5 million new homes and strengthen tenants rights.
"This would save an absolute fortune"
Helen Walsham is from the 'Flagship Group', a housing association based in Norwich:
"We need to be supporting planning and giving people the opportunity to build houses, where we can and have the chance to.
"So we're not having to fill out 150 forms and taking 5 to 7 years to get onto the site, itself"
Dr Jan Sheldon from 'St Martins' says social housing targets need to be introduced now:
"This would save an absolute fortune, in terms of health and criminal justice, and it will make a real difference to people.
"If we don't get the basic building blocks down first and the foremost, the current housing of 3 and 4 beds will continue to go up. Now that's great for some, but not those we're supporting".
What has the Government achieve on housing in their first 100 days in power?
1) A commitment to building 1.5million new homes over the next Parliament
Labour outlined several proposals to achieve this, included prioritising the development of previously developed land (known as ‘brownfield sites’), adopting a more “strategic approach” to building on 'green belt land'.
2) Building new Towns
In July, the Government announced the creation of an independent 'New Towns Taskforce', led by Sir Michael Lyons. It's been tasked with helping the Government decide on the right places to build new towns and deliver more homes.
3) Reform of the Planning system
During the election, Labour pledged to reform the national planning policy framework, restore mandatory housing targets, create a new taskforce to “accelerate stalled housing sites” in England, and appoint an additional 300 planning officers to support local authorities.
4) Private rented sector
Renters' Rights Bill is making it's way through Parliament and looks to abolish section 21 “no-fault” evictions, to prevent discrimination against private renters and empower them to challenge “unreasonable” rent increases.
The bill also looks to raise housing standards in the sector, including extending ‘Awaab’s Law’ to private rentals.
5) Safety regulations and homelessness
The Labour Party also made other commitments, including pledging to introduce regulations to improve building safety and committing to working with mayors and councils to end homelessness.
"A better route to a secure home"
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:
“Our decisive reforms to the planning system correct the errors of the past and set us on our way to tackling the housing crisis, delivering 1.5 million homes for those who really need them.
“And something I am personally proud of, our new flexibilities for councils will boost the number of social and affordable homes, and give working families a better route to a secure home.”
The Government says it's moral obligation to build more homes and they won't hesitate to intervene where necessary- to ensure targets are hit.
While details of future investment in social and affordable housing will be brought forward at the next spending review