We need a long-term plan for housing

ISHA supports the National Housing Federation’s call for the government to make a long-term plan to deal with the housing crisis.   

Aross every community in the country, millions of people are being let down by a failing system. This crisis is affecting our health, our life chances and our financial security. But this is a crisis that can be solved. As we head towards the next general election, we are calling for a Plan For Housing to fix the housing crisis.  

We don’t think it’s fair that people have to leave where they’re from simply because there aren’t enough affordable homes. ISHA have consistently delivered housing and last year alone, we were proud to contribute to 0.5% of all social housing in England. But we want to do more.  

Please show your support for the campaign by using the hashtag #PlanForHousing on social media.

ISHA Is calling on government to do three things.  

Grant Housing Associations access to remediation funds 
Long before building safety legislation passed last year, ISHA were vehement in our views that residents should not be made to pay for redressing buildings that should have been built properly in the first place. We’re pursuing the developers who let us down to pay for the repairs and make good on the work that should have been right the first time. We’ve made huge strides to meet the new regulations on fire safety and building safety, becoming industry leaders in the process.  

But the costs involved in rectifying these issues are preventing us from delivering more homes. Remediation funds exist for private landlords, to enable them to get up to scratch with current legislation. We’re calling on government to make those same funds available to Housing Associations, and ensure social tenants are receiving the same care and attention as private renters. 

Commit to building more homes 
90,000 socially rented homes are needed each year to meet the UK’s housing need. There needs to be changes to the planning systems and we need government to provide regulatory and policy certainty and stability so we can reassure investors of our ability to deliver the way we know we can.  

Affordable housing can significantly improve the quality of people’s lives and improve their outcomes. But it can also be good for the country as a whole. Research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows investing in building could generate over 50 billion for the economy, including £12bn profit to the taxpayer. In 2023 ISHA delivered two brand new affordable homes for every week we worked. That’s two more families with stability and better opportunities. Imagine what we could do with the proper investment.  

End child homelessness 
A record number of children are homeless, forced to live in inadequate temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfasts. This disrupts their education, affects their life chances and puts huge pressure on families. This situation is also putting a huge and growing pressure on public finances and services, and risks bankrupting some local authorities. The next government needs to end this scandal. 

Nearly 1.1 million homes in the UK are overcrowded. In England, over 310,000 children share a bed with family members, impacting both the mental and physical well-being of families. Children need a good home environment to learn, play, and develop. Implementing a comprehensive housing strategy to reduce overcrowding could enhance the opportunities for 1.8 million individuals, including nearly a million children. 

The government can fix this with a plan to build the 90,000 new social homes we need every year for the next ten years. 

Please show your support for the campaign by using the hashtag #PlanForHousing on social media. 

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