Published: 26 June 2006
Assessing Social Housing
The Government has launched an independent assessment of social housing to look at the role of social housing in the 21st century, in particular examining if the system is flexible enough to cope with people's changing circumstances.
In addition, it will take a detailed look at the Social Homebuy scheme to question if there are barriers for housing associations, local authorities or tenants, to the take-up of Social Homebuy.
The assessment will report in the autumn.
In a speech to the Chartered Institute of Housing's annual conference, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Ruth Kelly said social housing should help people to get on in life.
Ms Kelly also called on every local authority and housing association to consider taking up the Social Homebuy scheme which enables tenants to become part-owners of properties without leaving their own communities.
The proceeds from these schemes then go into providing social and affordable housing.
Ruth Kelly said:
"We need to ensure we reach our target of having 30,000 additional social houses a year by 2007/8.
We need to see how social housing can help us create genuinely mixed communities - where people from different backgrounds and at different life stages live together.
And we want social housing to become more responsive.
It must continue to act as a place of assurance and security for those who have no other option.
But it must also give tenants greater choice and be a springboard into ownership for those who only need it for a short time.
Everyone should feel they have the right to own a house, if that is what they choose
Our Social Homebuy programme can be a stepping stone into home ownership for those who can't afford to buy outright but want to get a foot onto the housing ladder."
The Social Homebuy scheme began in April 2006 with the intention of providing new opportunities for tenants who do not have the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire, or who cannot afford it, to buy a share in their rented home.
Tenants of participating landlords will be able to purchase a minimum initial share of 25 per cent of a home.
The remainder of the equity will be retained by their landlord who will be able to levy a charge of up to 3% of the capital value of their retained equity.
Participation in the scheme is voluntary but the Government is encouraging landlords to offer it.
Further information
Social Homebuy
London Housing Magazine
The Housing Corporation
Chartered Institute of Housing
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