Fixing Housing, saying "yes" to building the right homes, in the right places, and getting on with the job
Fixing housing: saying "yes" to building the right homes, in the right places, and getting on with the job. Eastleigh Borough Council Leader Keith House says "yes we can". Let's start by winding back the clock to thirty, perhaps forty years ago, and thinking about the life chances of early...
The HFI View: Green shoots but no beanstalk as housing delivery appetite hampered by the lack of support schemes for buyers and the weight of extra taxes
As with the first signs of Spring, there are emerging shoots of positivity in the housing market. The announcement in the Autumn Budget 2024 of changes to stamp duty coming in from April 2025 has shaken some buyers out of their torpor. Zoopla's latest market report notes "positive momentum" in the sales...
Who will build the homes of the future?
Shortages of skills in construction is not a new issue. In 1964 the Industrial Training Act set up 27 sector specific training boards to address market gaps in specific sectors, which included construction. Roll forward half a century and only 2 of the original 27 industries continue to have these...
The HFI View: Radical Planning and Local Government Reform: a recipe for holding back or boosting housing and infrastructure delivery?
Radical Planning and Local Government Reform: a recipe for holding back or boosting housing and infrastructure delivery? Fast on the heels of major planning reform in December came another announcement – a Devolution White Paper which promises radical reform of local government in England. Taken together with the...
Happy New Year! Test your housing knowledge
Happy New Year- Quiz! 💡 What better way to start the New Year than to Test Your Housing & Finance Knowledge with our HFI New Year's Quiz. It's pretty tricky - and some of the answers may surprise.See you how fare - follow the Quiz link to take the test: (please note - there's no need to sign in to...
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 unlikely to make...
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 were four key take-aways: (1) No Annual Housing...
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 Taskforce. It is...
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? The...
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...
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...
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's priorities. The HFI's Pre-Budget Brief includes...
March 2025 Housing Delivery Snapshot
January 2025 Housing Delivery Snapshot
December 2024
