Committee meeting at Westminster

By Holly Dagnall, Director of Homes and Wellbeing

Earlier today I took part in a ‘public oral evidence session’ on the work of housing associations for the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee.

Exploring the topic of ‘housing associations: development and finances’ we looked at our sector’s role in supporting the government’s target of 1.5M new homes and the funding we need to deliver that.

I was joined on the panel by Martin Gimber, North Devon Homes; Fiona Fletcher-Smith, L&Q Group; and Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation. 

#PlanForHousing

Over the last few months, we’ve thrown our support behind the National Housing Federation’s call to government for a long-term #PlanForHousing. 

As a sector, we’re committed to building new affordable homes, for those who need them the most. Last year, housing associations were responsible for one-in-four of all new homes in England. But with increasing costs and a target to improve the condition of older homes, we’re finding it harder to finance the homes we want to build.

That’s why we asked the committee for more long-term rent setting and funding for new developments.  

With a long-term plan for housing in place, and with more security in grant funding and rental income, we can support affordable house building targets and help the government to bring the current housing crisis to an end. 

Find out more about the National Housing Federation’s #PlanForHousing and watch the session in full here: Parliamentlive.tv - Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee