06 DEC 2024

The HFI View: Planning reform is not enough to deliver the Government's targets, but the good news is that there's much more that could be done to accelerate housing delivery

Planning reform is important and can make a difference over the long term. It is widely considered that the current operation of the planning system has undermined housing delivery and that needs to be addressed. But experts at Savills say the Government's proposed local plan allocation reforms are ...


06 DEC 2024

As housing supply falls, will the Housing Minister's 'Plan-Led Approach' succeed in boosting housebuilding?

The Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook MP, recently appeared before the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee. Under its new chair, Florence Eshalomi MP, the session provided important information about the new Government's approach to housing delivery this Parliament. There ...


26 NOV 2024

What's next for Older People's Housing?

What's next for older people's housing ? With more of the population living longer, it's so important that there is an appropriate housing focus on good outcomes for Later Living Homes. So it's good to see a very well-constructed independent report released from the Older Peoples Housing Taskf...


12 NOV 2024

Mansion House 2024: How can the Chancellor boost investment for housing?

    SUMMARY: After an Autumn Budget where there was little focus on housing as an engine for growth, the Chancellor's Mansion House speech this Thursday is important - will it set out how the government plans to maximise investment into the UK's housing and housebuilding industries? ...


07 NOV 2024

Housing: The Political and Delivery Landscape

Housing: the Political and Delivery Landscape after the Autumn Budget 2024 A pleasure to deliver the keynote speech on the political and delivery landscape for housing in Kent today. The key themes: - The target for 1.5m homes this Parliament/ 300k a year is a welcome return to housing ambition...


30 OCT 2024

More Action Needed: Budget Response from the HFI

"More action needed on housing to fix the foundations and boost growth" Sir Steve Bullock, Chair of the Housing & Finance Institute said: "This Autumn Budget takes place against the backdrop of huge challenges to the public finances. The scale of the challenges to the public finances cannot be...


21 OCT 2024

Budget Watch: Pre Budget Briefing from the HFI

BUDGET WATCH – Pre Budget Brief on Housing Delivery The Housing & Finance Institute has produced a Pre Budget Briefing on what to look out for in the upcoming Autumn Budget when it comes to housing and housing delivery. This is an important Autumn Budget in setting out the new Government...


09 OCT 2024

Building the Future, our HFI board plans for 2025

The Housing & Finance Institute works with local councils, government, housing businesses, investors and professionals to support partnership working and capacity building to deliver the homes the country needs. It's founded on the work of the Elphicke-House Report for HM Government which mad...


12 SEP 2024

Calls to clarify scope of Barratt "master developer" deal with Homes England

Calls to clarify scope of Barratt "master developer" deal with Homes England This week the Government's housing delivery agency, Homes England, announced a joint venture agreement, the 'MADE' partnership, between Homes England, the largest housebuilder Barratt and the largest mortgage lender Lloyds...


10 SEP 2024

Grenfell and the tower block problem

Grenfell and the tower block problem Last week's report into the Grenfell Tower disaster once again put the safety of tower blocks in the spotlight. There's no doubt the report is a huge and detailed piece of work. There is a lot to consider and the Prime Minister has said the Government will need ...


08 SEP 2024

A Fairer Right to Buy ?

A Fairer Right to Buy ? The Government has indicated that it intends to reform the Right to Buy (RTB). This is a welcome move. RTB reform was recommended by the Housing & Finance Institute in the HFI Budget for Housing in March 2024. This is because the existing operation of the RTB syste...


31 AUG 2024

A bright spot among housebuilding concerns

Council Leadership - delivering new homes and communities   This week's housebuilding figures continue to be a cause of concern - with the Financial Times reporting a sharp fall of around 20% in new housing starts in the financial year to March 2024, the lowest level in a decade. &nb...


08 AUG 2024

No New Towns this Parliament?

The Government's New Towns ambition has been broadly welcomed, with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner before the election setting out to a property conference her ambition to see housing completions at New Towns within five years. However, the Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook has now said that he ...


07 AUG 2024

Housing Delivery Snapshot - August 2024

• The Bank of England cut interest rates to 5% in a move expected to begin to boost confidence. The close 5-4 vote of the MPC came with a cautionary message that the Bank was not going to cut "too quickly or by too much". • Mortgage lender Nationwide released its latest UK house price ind...


05 AUG 2024

Latest data confirms housebuilding slump

Achieving the 1.5 million new homes target will be made all the more challenging because the latest quarterly figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC) show housebuilding has slumped by 23% compared with the same quarter a year ago. Some major housebuilders have also warned that they e...


01 AUG 2024

Are Planning Changes enough to hit 1.5 million new homes target?

During the first sitting of Parliament following the election, the new Government hit the ground running in taking steps to meet its target to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament. This is a very demanding target. Housebuilding on this level has not been achieved in the last 50 years – s...


06 MAR 2024

Press Coverage - A Budget for Housing

The HFi Report - A Budget for Housing 2024 - has received significant coverage in the press. Some highlights include: https://inews.co.uk/news/first-time-buyers-pension-pots-student-loans-2920941 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13069991/Rishi-Sunak-urged-cut-stamp-duty-March-Budget.htm...


18 OCT 2019

Green Belt Statistics 2018/19

English local planning authority Green Belt statistics for England in 2018/19 have been released today by the Office for National Statistics. In the year to April 2019, 13 local planning authorities adopted new local plans, this has resulted in a decrease in the amount of Green Belt land on the pre...


03 OCT 2019

New Build Dwellings Statistics - June Quarter 2019

Today, the latest New Build Dwelling statistics have been released, relating to the April to June 2019 quarter. The trend we identified in our analysis of the last quarter's statistical release has continued. The picture is stronger for completions than for starts; with starts from previous years o...


09 SEP 2019

Public Accounts Committee Report - Help to Buy

Following the HFi's former Chairman, Sir Mark Boleat, appearing in front of the House of Commons' Public Accounts Committee to discuss the National Audit Office's Help to Buy report; the Public Accounts Committee have published their report into the scheme.  In particular, they focused on Sir ...


25 AUG 2019

Exclusive RESI Convention Offer for Local Authorities

If you are looking to connect with the residential property sector, including developers, operators and financiers, you'll find unrivalled networking opportunities at the RESI Convention www.resiconf.com Taking place 11-13 September, it's the place to network, debate and meet your future partners. ...


15 AUG 2019

HFi Today, 15.08.19

Time to Break Free from the Long Shadow of the Financial Crisis With an Autumn Brexit Budget looming, the HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke, has written an article for Conservative Home, on the need to break free from the long shadow of the financial crisis. Natalie argued that growth i...


26 JUL 2019

HFi Today, 26.07.19

New Government, New Team, New Focus on Housing He's a man at home in a hard hat and now he is Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Congratulations and best wishes to Boris and the new team. LGA Conference Fringe We would like to say a big thank you to all those who attended the LGA/HFI fr...


25 JUL 2019

Exclusive RESI Convention Offer for Local Authorities

If you are looking to connect with the residential property sector, including developers, operators and financiers, you'll find unrivalled networking opportunities at the RESI Convention www.resiconf.com Taking place 11-13 September, it's the place to network, debate and meet your future partners. ...


06 JUL 2019

It is time to break free from the long shadow of the financial crisis

The HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke OBE, today wrote for Conservative Home on the need to break free from the long shadow of the financial crisis. Natalie argued that growth is too low, our economy is too unbalanced and too often different groups in our society are set against each other in...


04 JUL 2019

New Build Dwellings Statistics - March Quarter 2019

As with the recently published Dwelling Stock Statistics (published May 2019), the latest statistical release 'New Build Dwellings' continues the trend of relative stagnation when compared to the levels of housebuilding in the recovery-years following the financial crash. This growing trend shows th...


26 JUN 2019

Public Accounts Committee - Help to Buy

The HFi's former Chairman, Sir Mark Boleat, today appeared in front of the House of Commons' Public Accounts Committee to discuss the National Audit Office's recent Help to Buy report. Sir Mark gave evidence alongside David O'Leary, Policy Director for Home Builders Federation and Professor Christi...


20 JUN 2019

HFi Today, 20.06.19

Help to Buy Today, the National Audit Office (NAO) released its latest report 'Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme – progress review'. We at The Housing & Finance Institute were delighted to be able to contribute to the report, alongside other HFi membership organisations, at our recent Housi...


20 JUN 2019

HBR Springboard Winners

Recently, the HFi hosted the HBR Springboard programme in partnership with the LGA. The winners of this competition will receive resource support from a range of partners and an opportunity to speak at the LGA Conference. We are delighted to announce that the Housing Business Ready Springboard winn...


20 JUN 2019

Housing Delivery Summit

On 4th July, City & Financial are hosting their third Annual UK Housing Delivery Summit in London. At the event, you will hear some of the most pressing themes impacting the UK housing market today, including: The future of the UK housing market – how can we accelerate delivery?The lates...


18 JUN 2019

The HFi at the LGA Conference

How do councils build more homes, faster? Come along to a Discussion with Drinks, hearing from award-winning councils: Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Mid Suffolk District Council; and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Councils are harnessing experience, expertise, investment and professional s...


13 JUN 2019

Help to Buy - talkRadio

Today, the HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke, appeared on talkRadio with Eamonn Holmes to discuss Help to Buy and the National Audit Office's report on the scheme. Natalie pointed out the good news from the report and the forthcoming changes to the scheme, which will target the equity loan at ...


13 JUN 2019

Help to Buy - National Audit Office Report

Today, the National Audit Office (NAO) released its latest report 'Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme – progress review'. We at The Housing & Finance Institute were delighted to be able to contribute to the report, alongside other HFi membership organisations, at our recent Housing Accelerato...


07 JUN 2019

HFi Today, Recent Round-up

Over recent months the HFi has been busy working with councils to help them build the homes our country needs, alongside our policy work. Today's round-up will cover some of the things we have been up to recently. Invitation to the New Anglia LEP Housing Conference Join us to celebrate succe...


05 JUN 2019

New Anglia LEP Housing Conference

Join us to celebrate success and debate how we can build on that success for a sustainable future! NALEP and the Building Growth Group are holding their first Housing Conference on 11 July 2019, 10.00 – 16.00 at Wherstead Park, Ipswich. The Conference is an important step in further bringing ...


24 MAY 2019

Dwelling Stock Statistics - March 2018

The latest Dwelling Stock Estimates, from the ONS, show there are 24.2 million dwellings in England (on 31 March 2018). This is an increase of 222,000 dwellings (0.93%) on the same point on the previous year. The breakdown of the 24.2 million dwellings by tenure is as follows: 15.3 million owner...


24 MAY 2019

Natalie Elphicke at Building Societies Annual Conference 2019

HFi Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke, appeared on a panel at the Building Societies Annual Conference 2019. Natalie was joined on the panel by journalist and presenter, Ben Thompson; David Cutter, Group Chief Executive of Skipton Building Society; and Dan Wilson Craw, Director of Generation Rent. ...


21 MAY 2019

Housing Celebrate 2019

The Housing & Finance Institute's latest Housing Celebrate event was a great success again this year. Hosted in the House of Lords by HFi Board Member, Lord Kerslake, with fantastic speakers and delegates, representing the wide variety of businesses, organisations, councils and bodies that make ...


07 MAY 2019

Claire Kober OBE Joins HFi Board

Claire Kober OBE has joined the Housing & Finance Institute's Board of Directors. Claire is Managing Director (Homes) at Pinnacle Group, sitting on its executive committee. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Claire spent a decade in local government as Leader of the London Borough of Haringey where sh...


06 MAY 2019

Housing Celebrate - Confirmed Speakers

The Housing & Finance Institute is delighted to announce a fantastic line-up for our Housing Celebrate event in the House of Lords on 13th May 2019. The event is to celebrate the work of Sir Mark Boleat as Chairman and the work of the HFi since inception back in 2015. Speaking at the event w...


28 MAR 2019

New Build Dwellings Statistics - December Quarter 2018

Today, ONS statistics on new build dwellings were released – these are quarterly statistics (which ought not to be compared with annual statistics) covering the period from October to December 2018. These statistics are useful indicators of annual housebuilding statistics as trends can be dedu...


26 MAR 2019

HBF Policy Conference 2019

Our Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke OBE, chaired the HBF Policy Conference again this year, for the second year in a row. The conference discussed a range of issues and opportunities in the housebuilding sector and possible steps forward. Natalie was joined by many industry experts including the...


22 MAR 2019

HBR Springboard - Taking the Lead Competition

Yesterday was the final session of the HBR Springboard programme. This session gave councils the opportunity to pitch a real development in their area in a 'Dragon's Den' style competition, sponsored by Cheyne Social Property Impact Fund. Councils had the opportunity to present and get tips from ex...


18 MAR 2019

Sir Steve Bullock DL Appointed HFi Chairman

Sir Steve Bullock DL has been appointed Chairman of The Housing & Finance Institute. Sir Steve succeeds Sir Mark Boleat as Chairman of the HFi, having served on the HFi Board since the organisation's inception in 2015. Our new Chairman, Sir Steve Bullock DL, is also Chair of Sutton Housing Par...


18 MAR 2019

Sir Mark Boleat Steps Down as HFi Chairman

Sir Mark Boleat has, today, stepped down as Chairman of The Housing & Finance Institute. Since 2015, the HFi has been superbly chaired by Sir Mark Boleat, who has been succeeded by our new Chairman, Sir Steve Bullock DL. Sir Mark Boleat was HFi Chairman since the Institute's inception in 2015,...


24 JAN 2019

HFi at CIPFA Housing Conference

HFi Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke OBE, today presented at the CIPFA Housing Conference. The Conference drew on strategic policy development and its link with the practicalities of finance. Expert speakers in the field of housing were on hand to give a full insight into recent housing announcemen...


23 JAN 2019

HBR Springboard - Delivering the Homes your Area Needs

This, the second HBR Springboard session, revolved around what needs to happen to get the job done. Speaking at the session was Neill Tickle (Optivo), Paul Price (Tendring District Council), Jenny Coombs (Local Partnerships) and Rob Beiley (Trowers & Hamlins). Local Partnerships discussed thei...


12 DEC 2018

HBR Springboard - Making the Difference

The Local Government Association and the Housing & Finance Institute have launched a new housing programme for councils called 'HBR Springboard'. HBR Springboard is designed to meet the needs of councils that have the appetite and ambition to shape the delivery of homes for their area, and who ...


21 NOV 2018

The HFi Hosts the Guangzhou Human Resources and Society Security Bureau

Today, the HFi received a Chinese delegation from Guangzhou Human Resources and Society Security Bureau. The delegation travelled to the UK to understand 'implementing the capacity of construction and development for the affordable housing system'. HFi board members, Natalie Elphicke and Rob Beiley...


15 NOV 2018

Net Housing Supply: Steady as she goes

The 2018 net housing supply figures have been released. They show a positive and steady picture for housing. Albeit one that falls substantially short of the outturn that we were looking for if the 300,000 homes figure is to be achieved in the shorter term. A strong performance from today's figures...


14 NOV 2018

Hot topic: Net housing supply

  While the world waits on Brexit, we wait on an exciting piece of news: the NET ADDITIONAL DWELLINGS (housing supply) numbers due out tomorrow morning at 9:30am, 15 November 2018. Last year's net housing numbers showed a tremendous performance, over 217,000 new homes added to England's hou...


05 NOV 2018

HFi and LGA Launch Springboard Programme

The Local Government Association and the Housing & Finance Institute have launched a new housing programme for councils called 'HBR Springboard'. HBR Springboard is designed to meet the needs of councils that have the appetite and ambition to shape the delivery of homes for their area, and wh...


26 SEP 2018

LEP Network Women Leaders

The HFi was delighted to see our Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke OBE, invited to the inaugural LEP Network Women Leaders roundtable event, launched with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Melanie Dawes. At the HFi, we have worked with a numb...


19 SEP 2018

The HFi and Shelter on Social Housing

Natalie Elphicke, Chief Executive of the Housing and Finance Institute, and Polly Neate, the CEO of Shelter, recently discussed Theresa May's £2bn social housing pledge on Channel 4 News. Natalie argued that this is not a lot of money for social housing in the grand scheme of things, equating...


14 SEP 2018

The HFi at RESI 2018

The HFi would like to thank all those local authorities who took advantage of our complimentary ticket offer to attend RESI 2018. Especially those who visited our 'Local Authority Zone', created especially for the local authorities who are working hard to build more homes, faster. The conference ...


21 AUG 2018

Recent Round-up 2

Podcast: Is home ownership the best policy for Britain This week the HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke, joined Blackstock MD, Andrew Teacher, and Phil Laney, founder and CEO of Lyvly, a co-living platform that helps renters find high-quality shared living accommodation. Phil and Natalie dis...


07 AUG 2018

Complementary Tickets to RESI 2018

  12-14 September 2018, Celtic Manor Resort, Waleswww.resiconf.com Last year, the HFi and RESI teamed up to ensure that local authorities attended, and got the most out of, RESI 2017. RESI Convention is the premier residential property conference and networking event, organised by Property ...


29 JUL 2018

New Report by the HFi: A Time for Good Homes

A major new report today from the Housing & Finance Institute and housing association, Radian, reveals that the huge expansion in private renting over the last 15 years has severely harmed family and financial stability. They have collaborated to produce a ground-breaking report to set out the ...


27 JUL 2018

Recent Round-up 1

South Norfolk: Housing Business Ready It is a pleasure to announce that South Norfolk Council have been awarded Housing Business Ready status by the Housing & Finance Institute. This is the second council in Norfolk to achieve this status, after Broadland District Council achieved the status la...


19 JUL 2018

The Science of Housing

  Today the House of Lords' Science and Technology committee publish their awaited report into Off-Site manufacturing in construction.  The report, called Building for Change, can be found here. For all of us interested in housing and off-site manufacturing it is recommended reading. ...


10 JUN 2018

The HFi on Grenfell - BBC Radio 4

The HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke OBE, appeared on BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour to discuss the Grenfell Fire. Natalie expressed concern about the Government's response to the Grenfell Fire and said: "the first responsibility of any government is the safety & security of its people...


27 MAR 2018

HFi Today, HBF Policy Conference

The HFi at the HBF Policy Conference Last week, our Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke, chaired the HBF Policy Conference. The Conference had a very strong lineup including Heather Wheeler MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and Labour's Shadow Housing Secretary, John Healey MP. Redrow c...


15 MAR 2018

HFi Today, March 2018

- Sir Mark - ING talk - Natalie Elphicke: Newts Holding Up Housebuilding Is Snow Joke - Housing Business Breakfast - Build Out Review Sir Mark - ING talk Recently at ING Media, our Chairman, Sir Mark Boleat, gave a talk on his radical solutions to improve housing delivery. He built on ma...


05 FEB 2018

HFi Today, February 2018

- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at Jaywick Sands - The Times - Housing Special - Housing Business Breakfast - this Wednesday Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at Jaywick Sands Recently, Melanie Dawes, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Housing,...


23 JAN 2018

HFi Today, January 2018

- Not since the moon landings have we built 300,000 houses a year - Better Connections - Modular Housing - Next Housing Business Breakfast Natalie Elphicke: Not since the moon landings have we built 300,000 houses a year Yesterday, the HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke wrote an articl...


09 JAN 2018

Sir Mark Boleat: The Housing Problem in London - The Reaction

Attempting to influence public policy is challenging at the best of times. Politicians inevitably have a short time horizon, seldom extending beyond the next election, and the principal objective of most is to be in power rather than to do anything with power. Over the last few years the situation...


07 DEC 2017

HFi Today, Budget, Events and Luton

- Budget 2017: Key Housing Policy highlights for the HFi - Housing Business Breakfast Autumn Budget Special - Upcoming Events - The HFi in Luton Budget 2017: Key Housing Policy highlights for the HFi In the 2017 Budget it was fantastic to see so many of the Housing & Finance Institut...


22 NOV 2017

HFi welcomes 6 key areas of recommendations in the Budget 2017

Making a difference – Key Housing Policy highlights for the HFi At the Housing and Finance Institute we have been working across industry and the public sector to help more homes to be delivered faster. As part of our work we make recommendations to Government on how to deliver the homes our ...


22 NOV 2017

A budget for housing?

The Housing & Finance Institute has prepared its pre-Budget briefing for today's Autumn Budget 2017. It is available to download here. Housing is set to dominate the Autumn Budget, but it is not yet clear what type of Budget the Chancellor will deliver. The Housing & Finance Institute has ...


20 NOV 2017

HFi Today, Who's Who in Local Authority Housing Development - The HFi's Winners

- Who's Who in Local Authority Housing Development - The HFi's Winners - The HFi Meets... - Focus: Jaywick Sands - Latest Housing News - Autumn Budget Special - 29 November Who's Who in Local Authority Housing Development - The HFi's Winners Inside Housing have launched this year's 'Who's ...


15 NOV 2017

HFi Today, Better Connections

- Better Connections: Housing Infrastructure Recommendations - 'The Housing Problem in London' Launch - What innovation is required to build more homes? - Book Now for Autumn Budget Special - 29 November Keep a Look Out for Housing Supply Statistics Better Connections: housing infrastruct...


09 NOV 2017

Affordable Housing Statistics

On 9 November 2017, the Government released the latest Additional Affordable Housing Supply statistics. For statistical purposes 'Affordable Housing' has a technical meaning that may be different from the everyday or policy meaning of the term. The technical use of 'Affordable Housing' takes its r...


26 OCT 2017

HFi Today, A Quick Guide To The Green Belt

- A Quick Guide to the Green Belt - Out Today - The Housing Problem in London - Launch: Fully Booked - Book Now for Autumn Budget Special - 29 November A Quick Guide to the Green Belt - Out Today Today, we launched our 'Quick Guide to the Green Belt'. The guide started its life from a q...


20 OCT 2017

HFi Today, The Housing Problem In London

- The Housing Problem in London: A Broken Planning System - Invitation to the Launch of the HFi's New Report - 31 October - Autumn Budget Special - 29 November - Worth a Read - The Smith Institute's Latest Report The Housing Problem in London: A Broken Planning System The HFi's latest ...


20 OCT 2017

The Housing Problem In London

The HFi's major new report, as covered in the Evening Standard, sets out radical planning shake-up required to solve London's housing crisis. Penalties for public sector bodies that fail to release surplus land and building at higher densities proposed Far-reaching new housing proposals from f...


16 OCT 2017

HFI Today, Invitation to the Launch of the HFi's New Report

- Invitation to the Launch of the HFi's New Report - 31 October - Autumn Budget Special - 29 November Invitation to the Launch of the HFi's New Report We are delighted to invite you to a breakfast seminar which will launch a new White Paper by Sir Mark Boleat, former political leader at the C...


11 OCT 2017

HFi Today, The HFi Meets the Housing and Planning Minister

- The HFi Meets the Housing and Planning Minister - Autumn Budget Special - 29th November - HFi's Quick Facts and Figures The HFi Meets the Housing and Planning Minister On Monday, the HFi's Chief Executive, Natalie Elphicke, and Chairman, Sir Mark Boleat, had a meeting with the Housing a...


04 OCT 2017

Reducing the Hurdles to Home Ownership for the Young

Photograph credit: Rahil Ahmad and the Legatum Institute At Conservative Party Conference 2017, the HFI took part in an event hosted by ConservativeHome in partnership with the Legatum Institute entitled 'The country we want to be: pathways to prosperity'. The session included contributions from R...


28 SEP 2017

HFi Today, Our New Website

- Check Out Our New Website - Mark Davis at the HFi's Housing Business Breakfast - Our Next Housing Business Breakfast – 29th November Check Out Our New Website This week we launched our new website, and it is available at www.thehfi.com We felt that it was time for "out with the old,...


19 SEP 2017

HFi Today, RESI Roundup

– RESI Roundup – The Big Housing Business Breakfast – 27 September – Complete our Business Sentiment Survey RESI Roundup As you will know, the HFi attended the RESI conference last Thursday. The HFi's Chairman, Sir Mark Boleat, made a strong contribution on the...


19 SEP 2017

HFi at RESI: Time to Look Again at Coastal Communities - Videos

  Below are clips of the interviews with Gary Josey, Director of Housing & Communities at Bournemouth Borough Council, Cllr Chris Wells, Leader of Thanet District Council, and Chris Starkie, Managing Director of the New Anglia LEP who all took part in the HFi's event at RESI in associati...


14 SEP 2017

HFi Today, September 2017

– Congratulations Housing Business Ready Councils – The Big Housing Business Breakfast – 27 September – Complete our Business Sentiment Survey   Congratulations Housing Business Ready Councils The HFi is delighted to announce that eight councils in the Sou...


26 MAY 2017

Latest Housebuilding Figures

Housebuilding starts surged in the year 2016/17, according to just published figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). In England, 162,880 homes were started – up from just under 142,000 the previous year. That is good news in itself – as it is the highe...


23 MAY 2017

HFi: General Election Special

Since the General Election was called, we're sure you have all been wondering what this means for housing in the UK. In this General Election newsletter, I set out what the three main political parties are offering in relation to housing. In other words, I've read their manifestos, so you don't hav...


05 OCT 2016

Research Highlights 2016: Conference Special Edition

The HFi have released Research Highlights 2016: Conference Special Edition which is a compilation of all our research and commentary over the last year. It addresses key housing and infrastructure questions such as: How do we build more homes, faster? Does London have capacity to build a million...


23 SEP 2016

HFi celebrate first anniversary

The Housing & Finance Institute are delighted to be celebrating our first anniversary of operations this month. By working together we are seeing a substantial difference for communities across the country. To celebrate, we will have some exciting news to share with you. Please do keep updated o...



Housing Delivery Snapshot - August 2024 

• The Bank of England cut interest rates to 5% in a move expected to begin to boost confidence. The close 5-4 vote of the MPC came with a cautionary message that the Bank was not going to cut “too quickly or by too much”.

• Mortgage lender Nationwide released its latest UK house price index report, with an annual growth in house prices of 2.1% in July, its fastest pace since December 2022.

• The latest NHBC housing pipeline figures for Quarter 2 2024 show the scale of the current housebuilding slump with a 23% fall in new registrations compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

• Latest MHCLG data reported a significant fall in residential Planning Permissions over 30%, another key housing pipeline indicator.

• Following the General Election, the new Government confirmed its 1.5 million new homes target for this Parliament.

• The Housing Secretary took immediate action to impose compulsory housebuilding targets on councils, with a warning of direct intervention if housing targets are not met.

• The Housing Minister confirmed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on 31 July that the Government’s New Towns programme is not expected to deliver any completed homes this Parliament.


HFI Housing Delivery Newsletter - August 2024

The Bank of England’s rate cut was a ray of light, but the housing pipeline remains a cause for concern. At the Housing & Finance Institute, we look at the latest news and developments in housing since the election, including in the Housing Spotlight and Delivery Snapshot.

Rate Cut Boost

Amid a challenging year for housebuilding and mortgages, there was a ray of light on 1 August, with the Bank of England announcing a long-awaited interest rate cut to 5%. The close 5-4 vote of the Monetary Policy Committee came with a cautionary message that the Bank was not going to cut “too quickly or by too much”.

Ahead of the rate rise, the mortgage lender Nationwide released its latest UK house price index report, with an annual growth in house prices of 2.1% in July, its fastest pace since December 2022.

The latest Bank of England announcements will provide a little relief for some current mortgage holders and those needing to refinance. However, many first-time buyers are facing a continuing double challenge of finding money for a deposit while meeting stringent affordability criteria. So while generally mortgage market confidence may begin to rise off the back of the Bank of England interest rate cut, access to home ownership remains difficult for many, given the affordability and home deposit challenges.

Housing Pipeline Concern

However, housing pipeline figures remain a cause for concern with the latest NHBC housing pipeline figures showing the scale of the current housebuilding slump. Latest MHCLG data reported a significant fall in residential Planning Permissions, another key housing pipeline indicator.

Housing Policy Interventions

Following the General Election, the new Government has confirmed its 1.5 million new homes target for this Parliament. Immediate action has been taken by the Housing Secretary to impose compulsory housebuilding targets on councils, with a warning of direct intervention if housing targets are not met. However, the Government’s New Towns programmes is now not expected to deliver any completed homes this Parliament, the Housing Minister told Radio 4’s Today programme. This raises questions as to how the 1.5 million new homes target will be delivered, without these major new developments coming forward at pace.

Further Government intervention on the demand side to support new buyers and home deposit savers is likely to be necessary over the next period to reverse the current housebuilding slump, together with far-reaching interventions for skills and building materials to meet a housing target that hasn’t been met since mankind first landed on the moon over 50 years ago. The HFI’s purpose is to support increased housing supply, back councils and businesses working together to build more homes and promote new ways to finance housebuilding.

Do get in touch if you would like to share ideas and suggestions on building the homes our country needs.

Best regards

Natalie Elphicke Ross
Head of Housing Delivery

natalie@hfi.org.uk


December 2024