Housing Forum calls for shake up of planning and funding

The Housing Forum has called for a shake-up of funding and planning models in a bid to help the housing sector better cope with current market conditions and prepare or future recovery.

Its ‘Reaching for Recovery’ report also highlighted a need to re-evaluate land values and quality standards, as well as fostering a stronger sense of realism about the short and long term challenges facing the industry.

Jeffrey Adams, chairman of The Housing Forum and group chief executive of United House, said: “The need to increase housing volumes and improve existing homes does not lessen in the wake of the financial crisis – rather the challenges and timescales for delivering reform simply become tighter and shorter. Without a radical shake up to how we value land, maximise existing stock and the steps we take to fund, plan and upskill for new development we may fall well short not only of our targets, but of the prospect of a sustainable market recovery.”

The report summarises the findings of four cross-industry working groups, which have investigated several areas of housing industry reform.

Among the key recommendations from the four working groups were:

• Increase the amount of grant funding and work closer with the HCA to ‘unblock’ existing schemes;
• Re-assess the linkages between land values, Section 106, RSL development and affordability;
• Creation of a Code for Sustainable Homes – Refurbishment to set targets and guidelines for ongoing improvement;
• Increased incentives and rebates, including zero-rated VAT, for low energy developments.

Adams added: “The Housing Forum is uniquely placed to support the industry thanks to the access we have to the knowledge and insights of people from across the sector and our new strategic relationship with NHBC. The findings of the working groups provide a valuable contribution, not only to this year’s conference, but to the future direction of the industry.  We will now take this set of comprehensive recommendations to both Government and the industry and press for change where it is needed.”