NHF issues social housing plan

The National Housing Federation has issued a 10-point plan aimed at boosting the depressed social housing sector.

The NHF wants Government to co-ordinate policy on tackling the funding problems of social housing and the 1.5 million homes that are considered unfit for habitation.

The funding review includes investigations of how the Private Finance Initiative can help social housing and the disincentives caused by VAT on repair and maintenance schemes. The plan also calls for a review of the policy to support individuals through housing benefit rather than increasing the public subsidy on bricks and mortar in a bid to lower rents.

The 10 points call for: a review of the social housing funding regime; unlocking local authority housing finance; ending unnecessary restrictions; using the planning system to create and retain social housing; and, the removal of tenure barriers.

The plan also calls for: raising the energy efficiency of housing; reversing homelessness legislation; reforming and restructuring the Housing Benefit system; increasing the quality and tenant participation in social housing; and, strengthening inter-departmental government co-operation.