Housing is delivered by many organizations around the country. These can be grouped into the following three: (1) Local Authorities, (2) Housing Association & (3) Private Enterprise.
If you are a chief planner in one of the sectors, how will you describe the current status and how will you advice the sector to move forward? Your response should be no more than one page, and you can use the online resources to respond to this exercise. You can respond individually or in groups.
Urban & Environmental Studies 
We are John, Samantha and Amir and we are chief planners in the housing association sector.
We are deeply concerned at the state of the sector and the insecurity of housing in the UK. This has been fuelled by rising interest rates and exacerbated by the cost of living crisis this year. Our housing associations have attempted to support our tenants during this period which has strained our finances. Inflated operating and material expenditure has slowed much needed development to tackle the housing shortage.
That said, we are encouraged by the Renters Reform bill and hope that the increased security for tenants will reduce some of the strain on our services. We are also pushing for an increase in Universal Credit to alleviate the cost of living crisis for our own tenants. The Social Housing Regulation Act this year has increased our need for professionalism in the workplace, but will improve the quality of the social housing we provide.
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Well-Done. It is important to see the problem in light of the recent economic challenges and the rising of the cost of living. The improvement of social housing is a crucial part of the solution.
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We are the head of the local authority sector. We are Sam, Norb and Anson.
In the current status, we run council housing and manage it for the tenants, however we do not build much housing. The construction of council housing by local authorities dropped off in the 1980s under thatcher’s government. It peaked in the 50s during the post war era due to rebuilding after the war housing new people moving to the UK. Since the 80s there has been little construction or motive for local authorities to build housing as subsequent governments haven’t supported it. The other sectors have overtaken the local authority sector in terms of house construction. There are currently 1.2 million families and growing on the waiting list for council properties from the council. This in itself demonstrates the importance of growth required to change the current status of this sector.
As housing has become unaffordable to many, it is more important than ever for the local authorities to construct new housing. This is a challenge as the current political landscape is not very supportive of building new council housing. The way moving forward is to modify the planning system around council housing so as to allow for councils to have a greater incentive to build more affordable housing. Long term master plans would be needed to facilitate growth in this sector and impact public opinion in a positive way. By highlighting the stability these homes offer we can garner more support both publicly and privately!
To conclude we need to begin building more council houses as soon as possible to meet the demand and out compete the other sectors.
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Good identification of the problem.
The suggested actions to reform and modify the planning to allow for councils to build more affordable housing, is very important. It is crucial too to do that with a deeper link to both economy consideration (supply-demand) and environmental consideration.
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Yasmin, Lavinia, Christian, Oscar
Private enterprise –
In 2022 there were 5.5 million private sector businesses in the UK, this meant that it was 1.5% less than what it was in 2021. Since 2000, it is the largest fall in the business population.
Various ways to improve the private enterprise is by:
– Incentivising affordable housing development.
This is done through offering tax incentives to developers who build affordable units, create public-private partnerships to fund affordable housing projects and provide low-interest loans to developers.
– Introducing land-use policies by; developing and implementing sensible land policies that encourage the efficient use of land for housing projects as well explore options such as land trusts to maintain affordability and prevent speculation.
– There are around 1,600 housing associations in the UK which provides affordable homes and support local communities.
Local authorities –
The current council services and activities consist of:
Highways, education, waste and recycling, social care, amenity manage and tree work, local authorities as social housing landlords, and general domestic safety issues
Ways local authorities can improve is by voting. When more people exercise their power as voters, they can elect local leaders whose values are aligned with their interests and hold leaders accountable to everyone they serve. Voting can be made more accessible by making it easier for people to access polling stations.
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As chief planners for the Housing Association sector, there have been recent changes in the sector, which have had a large impact, and there are increased opportunities moving forward.
Post Grenfell Tower Disaster, there has been increased scrutiny on how social housing is delivered and to what standard. The government published a white paper in 2023 that outlined the current state of social housing, and the measures set out to improve the sector.
Currently, 10% of all households, around 2.5 million, rent from housing associations.
There has been an increase in the amount of homes built by housing associations over the previous 20 years, however this does not outweigh the drop in homes built by councils. Therefore, there is an increase in demand.
The white paper (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9227/) was intended to deliver “transformational change”, according to the government, for social housing residents. It set out measures to:
Ensure social housing is safe.
Make it easier to know how social landlords are performing, to increase transparency and accountability.
Ensure swift and effective complaint resolution.
Strengthen the consumer standards social landlords must meet and create a strong, proactive regime to enforce them.
Empower residents in engaging with and holding their landlords to account.
Ensure good quality, decent homes and neighbourhoods.
The reforms have been described as being “well received by tenants, social landlords and the housing sector”. This is beneficial for the sector, and, if delivered, will improve the public view of housing associations. Although the aims set out in the white paper also demonstrate that standards have dropped or not increased over time.
Adhering to these new regulations will improve standards in the sector, which will strengthen housing associations. There is strong demand for affordable housing because of increased prices and the lack of homes built already. More homes are needed to be built. There will be lots of opportunities available to fulfil this need.
In conclusion, there is a positive future for the housing association sector.
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Sam, Charlie, Gio
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Currently, local authorities aren’t doing a lot to provide new housing and they haven’t been for a couple of decades. Most newly built housing is built by private developers and individuals, lots of these new dwellings aren’t affordable and some are rented so people aren’t able to own their own home or save money to own their own home. This proves an issue for local communities where many young individuals and families are forced to deal with exceedingly high rents for low quality housing with private landlords. Local authorities could potentially work to alleviate some of this pressure on communities through housebuilding incentives, both directly and with other stakeholders.
If I were a chief planner for a local authority there are a few things I would do to help deliver more housing. Firstly, Local authorities should acquire disused land and abandoned buildings and use said land to build affordable housing. Local authorities also have a say in the land use regulations of their area and have the ability to accept or deny planning permission, authorities should use this power to create policies which ensure that new dwellings built by private developers are affordable and high density. This could be achieved by increasing the minimum required affordable housing units in local policy. It is important to consider, however, that a change like this could discourage developers from being active in the area as the potential for profit in affordable housing is lower. Working with housing associations to create these affordable homes may be more effective as government funding can be acquired and lessen the need for private developers. While government funding might take longer to attain, the housing built would be to a higher quality and would be more community led.
Joe, Daisy, Michaela
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Private Enterprise:
Private Enterprise is housing owned by a landlord that is rented out to a tenant.
Private Enterprise can be affected by a variety of factors. One of the main ones is the state of the economy. More privately owned properties are available for lease when the economy is strong because people have more financial stability to take risks within the property sector, more disposable income to spend on said properties and you have easier and stronger access to lending.
The UKs supply for private enterprise buildings continue to be very high, there is always need for these types of tenancies and leases because of people moving to different places, student accommodation and changing of property due to current financial capabilities.
Ways to improve this area would be to try and introduce new initiatives and schemes to try and improve the work between work public and private so that more affordable housing can be provided by developing more of these types of properties, as the demand for them continues to rise. By increasing financial models such as crowdfunding and real estate investment trusts to increase these housing schemes more people will be able to find their affordable home they need.
Local Authorities
The state of the local authorities in the uk may have been influenced by several factors, including changes in government policies, budget constraints, and the ongoing challenges posed by the covid 19 pandemic. Local authorities across England are struggling to manage the greater risks they been forced to take to balance their budgets following national government funding cuts. Some regions of the uk have varying degrees of devolved powers, including control over certain aspects of local governments and policy decisions.
For this sector to move forward and tackle some of their issues they implement various strategies and actions.
Diversify revenue streams: explore alternative sources of revenue generation, such as local taxes, fees and partnerships with businesses and other government entities.
Collaborate with other local authorities: build alliances and network with neighbouring local authorities to share best practices and resources.
Housing Associations
Housing associations play a vital role in providing affordable and social housing to millions of people across the UK. There are however multiple challenges for example, shortage of affordable housing, rising demand, and financial constraints due to government funding cuts. There is also a struggle due to Disrepair in the housing sector. Living conditions have been underestimated and ignored in previous years.
Government policies and regulations are starting to encourage the construction of affordable homes and improve housing conditions. Housing associations were actively engaging with policymakers to influence these changes.
To improve UK housing associations, prioritize increasing affordable housing supply, engaging tenants, and maintaining housing quality. Address homelessness and promote social inclusion, using technology for efficiency. Ensure financial stability, adapt to regulations, and foster transparency. Support vulnerable tenants and encourage community-led development. Emphasize sustainability and innovation to meet housing needs while collaborating with stakeholders.
George Woodrow, Cris Turzo and Ross Baker
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Private Enterprise:
Private Enterprise is housing owned by a landlord that is rented out to a tenant.
Private Enterprise can be affected by a variety of factors. One of the main ones is the state of the economy. More privately owned properties are available for lease when the economy is strong because people have more financial stability to take risks within the property sector, more disposable income to spend on said properties and you have easier and stronger access to lending.
The UKs supply for private enterprise buildings continue to be very high, there is always need for these types of tenancies and leases because of people moving to different places, student accommodation and changing of property due to current financial capabilities.
Ways to improve this area would be to try and introduce new initiatives and schemes to try and improve the work between work public and private so that more affordable housing can be provided by developing more of these types of properties, as the demand for them continues to rise. By increasing financial models such as crowdfunding and real estate investment trusts to increase these housing schemes more people will be able to find their affordable home they need.
Local Authorities
The state of the local authorities in the uk may have been influenced by several factors, including changes in government policies, budget constraints, and the ongoing challenges posed by the covid 19 pandemic. Local authorities across England are struggling to manage the greater risks they been forced to take to balance their budgets following national government funding cuts. Some regions of the uk have varying degrees of devolved powers, including control over certain aspects of local governments and policy decisions.
For this sector to move forward and tackle some of their issues they implement various strategies and actions.
Diversify revenue streams: explore alternative sources of revenue generation, such as local taxes, fees and partnerships with businesses and other government entities.
Collaborate with other local authorities: build alliances and network with neighbouring local authorities to share best practices and resources.
Housing Associations
Housing associations play a vital role in providing affordable and social housing to millions of people across the UK. There are however multiple challenges for example, shortage of affordable housing, rising demand, and financial constraints due to government funding cuts. There is also a struggle due to Disrepair in the housing sector. Living conditions have been underestimated and ignored in previous years.
Government policies and regulations are starting to encourage the construction of affordable homes and improve housing conditions. Housing associations were actively engaging with policymakers to influence these changes.
To improve UK housing associations, prioritize increasing affordable housing supply, engaging tenants, and maintaining housing quality. Address homelessness and promote social inclusion, using technology for efficiency. Ensure financial stability, adapt to regulations, and foster transparency. Support vulnerable tenants and encourage community-led development. Emphasize sustainability and innovation to meet housing needs while collaborating with stakeholders.
George Woodrow, Cris Turzo, Ross Baker
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Local Authorities
We believe that the local authorities need to take a more active role in building affordable housing or encouraging the development of properties. The government has not contributed by way of building houses in a significant way in many decades while a lack of affordable housing is becoming more of an issue. This is shown by the increasing average cost of homes in the UK. The average UK house price was £290,000 in July 2023, which is £2,000 higher than 12 months ago, but £2,000 below the recent peak in November 2022. Average house prices increased over the 12 months to July 2023, to £309,000 in England (0.6%), £192,000 in Scotland (0.1%), while average house prices in Wales decreased to £216,000 (negative 0.1%).
The cost of housing is a clear issue which also needs to be addressed. The average house cost 4 times the average salary in 2000 whereas in 2021 it is 8 times the average.
Some ways local authorities could increase property development include working with private developers to create mixed-use buildings for residents.
Another way to increase the availability of properties would be to offer incentives for renovating properties that are currently not habitable, which would bring more properties back to the market.
Local authorities could also develop brownfield sites that are currently not in use or offer incentives to private developers to encourage this. This would not only reduce the impact on green space but also make use of space that would be otherwise wasted.
Chief Planners Tom & Mikey
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Private enterprise:
Private Enterprise housing comprises properties owned by landlords and offered for rent to tenants. This realm is influenced by a multitude of factors, with the state of the economy being a prominent driver. In periods of economic prosperity, the availability of privately owned rental properties tends to increase. This phenomenon occurs because individuals feel more financially secure, are more inclined to venture into property investments, possess higher disposable income for rental expenditures, and enjoy enhanced access to lending options.
Within the United Kingdom, the supply of private enterprise housing remains consistently abundant. The persistent demand for such accommodations is driven by various factors, including individuals relocating to different regions, the ongoing need for student housing, and shifts in housing choices influenced by current financial circumstances.
To enhance this sector, innovative initiatives and collaborative schemes between the public and private sectors should be considered. These endeavors aim to expand the availability of affordable housing units, aligning with the escalating demand for such accommodations. By leveraging financial models like crowdfunding and real estate investment trusts, the housing landscape can be broadened, ensuring that more people have access to the affordable homes they seek.
Owen, Leah, Tracy
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My name is Rafail and I am a chief planner in the Private enterprise. I deeply concerned about the housing development of our sector as it may look that we provide the most houses costs and expenses keep on rising along with many other disadvantages.
Some ways to improve the supply of housing from private enterprises is for the local authorities to offer us tax incentives, grants or subsidies to us developers who build affordable or low-income housing units. These incentives can make it more financially viable for our sector to engage in such projects. Another way is to invest in infrastructure development to open up new areas for housing development. Private enterprises are more likely to invest in areas with good infrastructure. Public with private partnerships could collaborate with each other to fund and develop housing projects. These partnerships can share risks and rewards, making housing development.
The provision of housing in the UK has evolved over the years In all three sectors. During the early 20th century local authorities began to play a more prominent role in providing housing for the working class as after the world war I . At the end of the 20th century the government introduced the right to buy scheme in 1980 allowing council tenants to purchase their homes at a lower price as this led to an increase in ownership, it also reduced the number of publicly owned housing units.
I do truly believe that the private enterprise is going very well at the moment and it will keep on getting better in the near future.
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My name is Morgan/ Rawlins/Ella with BSC hons Real Estate RICS, as a Chief planner for the authority role of the Glamorgan Council.
Currently, our company is facing a serious staff shortage. With such a serious issue, we cannot handle the problems immediately. However, we have planned to recruit more staff and support from different sectors to our team to fix the staff shortage issue.
We are planning an Application to replace wooden sash windows with UPV windows of identical appearance. The application was made very current. Therefore, the situation should be solved within a short period.
Morgan
Rawlins
Ella Lee
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Challenges the housing association face with the current status of the market:
Financial pressures. They will have to manage these by having a clear sense of their priorities. They also face high demand for new homes despite uncertainty regarding economics of development. They should consider carefully how to assess new development and manage risks moving forward.
Holly
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