Ahead of the Housing Green Paper launch, here is the top 6 policy topics of concern to our tenant members.
Wednesday 18th of July 2018
During the Tpas National Tenant Conference 11-12 July 2018, our Tpas Policy Advisor presented a “Social housing policy, the facts, the fiction and the future” presentation to delegates.
During the presentation a number of questions were asked and discussed around ‘what would social housing tenants like to see in the social housing green paper’.
Ahead of the Housing Green Paper, here is the top 6 policy topics of concern to our tenant members.
Sign in to your Tpas membership account and download the FULL briefing here.
1.) The Right to Buy
It was discussed that government should allow councils to keep all the receipts from RTB and allow councils to use them to build more social rented homes.
This alongside increasing the borrowing cap for councils to build more units, should go some way to alleviating the acute need for social homes.
2.) Stigma of social housing
Delegates felt that there is a stigma associated with social housing which many find disturbing and unfair.
The definition of “affordable” housing used it is seen as not reflecting true affordability and what people can actually pay for.
It is also clear that it doesn’t include social housing and therefore tenants would like to see a proper focus on social housing per se, which would help with mitigating/reducing the stigma.
3.) Affordable housing is not beneficial for housing associations
4.) Lack of focus on housing for young people
Delegates felt that there isn’t any particular policy that is in place and has a focus on housing for young people.
Therefore a focus on how to help young people that come from social housing but cannot access it as adults or cannot afford to buy or rent from the private sector, would be beneficial for many young people out there who are left with no real choice.
5.) Building and safety regulations
6.) Universal Credit
Sign in to your Tpas membership account and download the FULL briefing here.