Torus’ Post

As local authorities face growing pressures—rising housing costs, an urgent need for social and affordable housing, and limited central government support—many councils are being forced to consider difficult financial decisions. In this climate, it’s critical that we find solutions that avoid pushing councils further toward financial strain. That's why we’re hosting a breakfast fringe session, Solving the Housing Crisis in a Sustainable Way, at the Local Government Association Conference on Wednesday 23 October 2024, 8:15 - 9:15 am. Discussions will include: 1. How to decarbonise housing while keeping costs down 2. The widening gap between council budgets and housing needs 3. How partnering with the private sector can deliver new housing without increasing operational costs or resourcing needs

Let me tell you the story of 3 families. How 3 homes improve outcomes for 20 children. 1) Mum in hospital. Adult sibling looking after 5 dependant children. Right home = mum out of hospital and some pressure removed from others. Less Children's Services involvement. 2) Mum and dad + 8 children. S21, Child in need assessment on a number of children. right home = family can stay in borough and together, no change of school and fighting chance of sustainable future. 3) Mum and 3 children + 4 connected foster children. Living in 3 bed for 2 years. Right home = more space, sustainable arrangement, can thrive at school, every chance of better outcomes. Our strategy is about building homes. Our vision is about building futures by working together. It doesn't happen by chance. We succeed as one Local Authority. #Manchester

In NSW, on Wednesday PIA Sue Weatherley, David Reynolds, Chief Executive Jane Partridge, Strategy Manager (Local Government NSW) ,  John Engeler, Chief Executive Officer (Shelter NSW), Michael Carnuccio, Manager, Policy (Community Housing Industry Association NSW) and Jeremy Gill, (Committee for Sydney) meet with the Kiersten Fishburn Secretary and Tom Loomes Executive Director, Strategic Planning and Policy from the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure to discuss Affordable Rental Housing (AFR). Together, we acknowledged the positive work of the Department to introduce an Affordable Rental Housing Levy as part of the TODs. However, we made further submissions that the housing should be in perpetuity and the ownership of a CHP, that the 2% levy, based on comparable international standards and the needs of the our communities is simply too low and the SEPP should have a escalating scale to show how the contribution will increase in time. In addition, there is an immediate need for clarity and further detail about how the affordable housing provisions in the TOD SEPP will work. The Department is now working with Local Governments to support them in the development of their own Affordable Housing Policies and are confident that many councils will development local schemes to meet the needs of their community. #affordablehousing #affordablerental #housingpolicies #TODSEPP #collaboration #jointadvocacy

Great session this morning, thank you Helen Shaw, Scottish Housing Regulator, Callum Chomczuk, Chartered Institute of Housing, John Wickenden, Housemark and Gavin Smith, Fife Council for your contributions. Big thanks to all of the delegates for joining the discussion with aims to make a difference in the sector. Thanks to Rob Griffiths for chairing today's Leadership Forum. We've discussed: ➡️ The Regulatory Framework and statutory guidance, including tenant participation and notifiable events for social landlords in Scotland, ➡️Scotland’s Housing Emergency and strategies for improvement ➡️ Sector's financial performance ➡️ The need for housing outcomes ➡️ The need to clarify the shared understanding of affordability ➡️ Housing 24 and the increased expectations and ambitions of the Scottish housing sector ➡️ Scottish Budget 2025-26 and the need for funding ➡️ Solutions for positive housing outcomes Join us at the next session on 18 February: https://lnkd.in/eaS2tneW #Scotland #UKhousing #affordablehomes #Scotlandbudget202526

Join us at the Local Government Association Conference for a vital session on solving the housing crisis.     Local authorities are facing unprecedented challenges—rising housing costs, a growing demand for social, affordable and temporary housing, and limited government support. Many councils are approaching critical financial thresholds, and innovative solutions are needed now more than ever.     We’re hosting a breakfast fringe session on 'Solving the Housing Crisis in a Sustainable Way' on Wednesday 23 October @ 8:15 in Queen's Suite 2, Harrogate Convention Centre.      This session will cover the urgent need for temporary housing, and increasing need for affordable and social housing, decarbonisation of homes, and how public-private partnerships can ease the financial burden on councils while delivering much-needed new housing.     Speakers:  Charlotte Cordingley MRICS APAEWE, CEO, Clear Futures  Ian Fitzpatrick, Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Planning and Regeneration, Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils  Helena Rivers, Net Zero Lead, AECOM     Sign up for the conference and join us to explore real solutions for sustainable housing:  https://lnkd.in/e7jf3HeM    #LGAConf24 #LGAConference #SustainableHousing 

The 1.2 million home challenge for the next government to deliver the places that are needed for people to live, with particular challenges in the South East, is set out in this superb but deeply concerning research that was developed by our team at SNG alongside Paul Chamberlain and supported by the members of CASE (a group of South East housing associations). We are continuing to build the homes people need, and SNG plans to deliver 25,000 homes over the next ten years, but our job would be far easier if we had a long-term plan for housing that included rent settlements, planning reform and improved access to land. #UKhousing #CASEforHousing #socialhousing #housingcrisis #ukhousing #GE24 Abri Group A2Dominion Group The Guinness Partnership L&Q Moat Homes Limited Metropolitan Thames Valley Paradigm Housing Group Southern Housing VIVID West Kent Housing Association You can read the research here: https://lnkd.in/esJYhAHV

The fifth report from the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee on their Shared Ownership Inquiry was published this morning. Members will be interested to read the report and particularly the conclusions and recommendations. 👀 take a look here https://lnkd.in/evfVcG5G #sharedownership

WHI members work to change the current status quo of housing across the region by leading, connecting and facilitating the delivery of affordable, quality and accessible homes in the Waikato. Read the full blog below

It was fantastic to work with Sean Worth, Jade Azim, and Paul Chamberlain on this important if worrying report that was also featured in The Times last week. While Labour has committed to building and to targets, it is clear that these targets will need to be stretching and come alongside a wider long-term housing strategy to deliver the homes that are needed. #UKhousing #planningreform

From western Mass to the Cape to the North Shore, Gateway cities and suburban towns alike, local leaders, including myself, joined with Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to share our feedback and ideas during yesterday’s housing roundtable, and to speak with one voice about the urgent need for progress when it comes to our housing crisis. https://lnkd.in/eiHEANF2