Join us every fortnight when we'll be taking a look at the UK housing headlines making the rounds. Breaking down the key information and giving you our thoughts!
London's social housing waiting lists at decade high
London's social housing waiting lists have hit a 10-year high, with 336,366 households on the lists in 2024, a 32% increase since 2014. This escalation is contributing to a homelessness crisis, with more than 183,000 people in temporary accommodation. London's Council's have warned of an urgent requirement for more affordable housing and financial support, pointing to a £700M shortfall in social housing finances and rising costs in temporary housing.
In response, the councils are calling for increased funding, higher social rent levels, and the removal of the 2011 cap on Local Housing Allowance for temporary accommodation. The Government has acknowledged the crisis and is aiming to build 1.5M homes by 2029, though critics argue immediate action is necessary.
Lumensol Says: "The temporary accommodation crisis is being felt across London and the figures are staggering. Shelter reported in December that nearly one child in every primary school class in London is living in temporary accommodation and has never known a home of their own.
The recent news about the conditions of accommodation and how these have contributed to the deaths of at least 74 children (National Child Mortality Database) shows that there is not only a financial crisis, but an increasing humanitarian crisis in homelessness. Of the 74 where TA was found to have been a contributing factor, 58 were under the age of one. This marks a significant increase on the previously reported figure of 55 in the four years to March 2023
Bringing on board more and better accommodation that is affordable, providing focused support services to help residents move on to more settled accommodation, as well as focusing on compliance and condition must be a key area for all London Councils."
Anna Benbow - Principal Consultant, Asset Management Services
Chancellor to fast-track housing approvals near rail stations
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to fast-track planning approvals for housebuilding near major commuter rail stations as part of a wider plan to deliver 1.5M new homes over five years.
Developers with acceptable projects in key areas will receive automatic approval under proposals aimed at increasing housing density and encouraging economic growth. In addition, the government plans to simplify planning processes for major infrastructure projects, cutting red tape by replacing environmental assessments with outcome reports. These reforms are part of efforts to improve economic performance and address criticism of the government's handling of growth, with Reeves also promoting a regeneration project in Manchester's Old Trafford district.
Lumensol Says: "We obviously welcome the proposed investment in housing focused around commuter links, however we question whether this should be prioritised over the absolute need for more social housing to curb the homelessness crisis ongoing in most authorities.
Most Local Authorities are still grappling with what investment they will actually receive and what red tape will be removed to enable them to commence the journey towards hitting targets they believe are unachievable. This all needs to be unlocked quickly to give the authorities a chance to plan this properly"
James Gutteridge - Executive Consultant, Finance Services