Unprecedented coalition of council landlords call on government to save future of council housing

A cross-party coalition of more than 100 councils came together today to call on the government to save the future of council housing.

At an event in Westminster, representatives of local authorities including Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark published five solutions for the government to tackle the social housing crises.

The document sets out a full roadmap to renew the country’s council housing over the next decade, with contributions from housing experts.

The five solutions set out include a new fair and sustainable HRA model, reforms to Right to Buy policies, removing red tape on existing funding, a new, long-term green and decent homes programme and urgent action to restart stalled building projects.

Councillor Will Cooper, Lewisham council cabinet member for better homes, neighbourhoods and homelessness, said: “It’s a crucial time for housing in Lewisham and across the country. 

“Social housing is an integral part of making that a reality, but many years of underfunding have led us to a crisis point.”

The coalition says that unsustainable financial models and erratic national policy changes have squeezed their housing budgets and sent costs soaring. 

The report warns that unless the government acts soon, most council landlords will struggle to maintain their existing homes adequately or meet demands to improve them.

Rather than increasing supply, some councils say they will have no option but to sell more of their existing stock to finance investment.

Cllr Cooper said: “Providing the council homes our communities need is becoming a more unreachable goal by the day.

“We are looking forward to working with the new government and sharing our experience and expertise, and want to convey the urgency of the issues we raise in this report.”

The new Labour government said it is working “at pace” to reverse the decline in social rent homes.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “The government has already given councils more flexibility to use Right to Buy receipts to deliver more social housing. 

“This is on top of an additional £450million for councils to secure homes for families at risk of homelessness. 

“We have made clear we will give councils and housing associations the stability they need and will set out further details at the next spending review.”

Pictured top: The Ethelred Estate in Kennington (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)