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 announcements.

Natalie's presentation was entitled 'Building Good Homes and communities for the future: Housing Policy into Practice'. This was based on the HFi's latest paper, A Time for Good Homes, which made the case for stability, flexibility, affordability and opportunity in housing – the report describes these as the 'Four Pillars of a Good Home'.

In her presentation, Natalie covered the dominant policy themes pre-financial crash, the impact of the financial crash on policy, the new platform created since the financial crash and the current themes and opportunities available in the sector.

She set out the national picture, while that picture is positive, more still needs to be done.

• Housebuilding starts are up: 164,510 (2017) against 85,600 (2009). 
• Housebuilding completions are up: 163,410 (2017) against 106,720 (2010).
• Latest Quarterly results show modest increase year on year.
• Net Housing Supply – 222,194 (2018) almost at the previous high of 223,534 (2007/08). 
• Empty Homes reduced: 
  • All: 605,891 (2017) from 783,119 (2008)
  • Long term: 205,293 (2017) from 326,954 (2008)
  • Local Authority: 23,102 (2017) from 57,536 (2004)

According to Natalie, there continues to be opportunities available as large housebuilders weathered the crisis well, modular and off-site construction are gaining in popularity (with an opportunity for speed, quality and quantity), strong institutional and investor appetite, and an ambition for 300,000 homes per annum.

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