20 things

The Chartered Institute of Housing’s 2007 Conference and Exhibition

23 June 2007

• Addressing the conference, secretary of state for the Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, acknowledged the need to provide ‘ladders into ownership’.

• She confirmed solutions such as shared ownership were important, but an increased supply of homes was crucial to helping more tenants become home owners.
• The government is aiming to build 200,000 homes a year by 2016, but Kelly admitted this might not be enough given the latest household growth projections.
• Delegates also heard that housing associations needed to look beyond the provision of affordable rented housing and offer affordable low cost home ownership (LCHO) options.
• A report by the CIH has found that the LCHO industry is still underdeveloped in terms of the information and support provided for prospective purchasers.
• CIH president, Paul Diggory, said: “LCHO is becoming an increasingly important part of the work of housing associations. However, further work is required to look at how the risks to people, taking on such ownership options, can be minimised.”

• Professor Martin Cave launched his report into social housing regulation at the conference with Kelly.
• It said the focus of regulation will now shift from provider to customer and will take account of the different organisations offering a variety of affordable housing services within a framework set out by regional and local bodies.
• Kelly also launched a consultation on tenant empowerment to seek views on proposals contained in Cave’s report.
• Sarah Webb, deputy chief executive, said: “Cave’s proposals for domain regulation, an independent regulator, strengthening of the collective and individual resident voice, co-operation with the local authority strategic housing role, and greater stakeholder input into regulatory intervention were all on our wish list of outcomes.”
• Webb went on to say the creation of an independent regulator would put the views of residents, government and providers on a more equal footing.
• Germaine Greer, broadcaster and academic, highlighted that housing shortages hinder local economy.
• Greer said that the lack of local manpower was largely a consequence of high housing demand and a lack of housing, leading to high prices which potential workers cannot afford.

• Diggory said: “Too many areas now face a shortage of housing that is not affordable for many of the UK’s more manual workers. This is in danger of stifling growth in this area of the UK economy and undermining the economic benefits of UK plc.”
• He furthered CIH’s call for £11.6 billion of investment from government to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for workers.
• Kelly also launched a practical guide to show how housing organisations can make a difference to local people’s lives by improving the neighbourhoods in which they live.
• Successes highlighted in the guide include cutting crime and anti-social behaviour, improving access to health care, and boosting employment.
• Kelly said: “We must work closely at all levels of individual neighbourhoods to ensure that no one is disadvantaged by where they live.”

• Webb said: “It is clearly in the interest of housing organisations to look beyond simply providing housing. Their work is vital to achieving sustainable change in neighbourhoods.”
• Steven Douglas, housing corporation deputy chief executive, added: “This guide highlights the wealth of great ideas out there and should serve as the basis for additional work across the country to sustain great places for people to live and work.”