Mandatory housing targets for England have been restored and amended to include 70,000 more homes.
Former Housing Targets Restored
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has said that housing targets for England that the former Conservative Government scrapped would be restored.
Housing Part of Growing the Economy
The new housing targets are part of the overhaul the new government is implementing to fix the foundation and grow the economy.
370,000 Homes Within the First Year
The plan will raise the annual target from 300,000 to 370,000 homes, ensuring the government can provide the 1.5 million homes pledged in five years.
Councils Involved in Aid Housing Crisis
To address the pressing housing crisis, all councils in England will now be given new housing targets.
New Housing Targets Set
The new targets mean that councils must increase housebuilding in the areas that need it the most, thus helping more people buy their own homes.
New Wave of Construction
This plan will remove major barriers to economic growth and start a new wave of construction across Britain.
London Housing Target Reduced
However, the target for London will be reduced from 100,000 to 80,000, which Rayner has said the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is “determined to rise to.”
Method Change for Calculating Housing Need
Rayner announced that the new government is changing its decades-old method of calculating the need for housing in certain areas “so we better reflect the urgency of supply for local areas.”
50% of Housing Should Be Made ‘Affordable’
The new rules will also require that at least 50% of new housing be made affordable, with a focus on “social rent.”
Economy Is Government’s Main Priority
The government’s unwavering commitment is to foster economic growth across the country, and the new targets will be integrated into the development of local plans.
Communities to Have a Say With Construction
Through the local plans, communities will have a significant role in the construction process, indicating the necessary infrastructure and homes for their areas.
£450M Allocated to Councils for Housing.
Ms Rayner announced that £450m of the local authority housing fund will be allocated to councils to build 2,000 new homes.
New Plans Are Seen as “Radical”
She has exclaimed that the new plans are controversial and “radical” at best, but they are being implemented to tackle the housing crisis.
Moral Obligation to Build Houses
The Deputy Prime Minister has written to all council Leaders and Chief Executive in England to ensure that there is “not just a professional responsibility but a moral obligation to see more homes built.”
“Green Belts” Not Out of the Question for Use
To deliver on the 1.5 million house target, councils must reassess their “grey belt” and potentially review their “green belt” if necessary.
Housing Minister Meeting the Developers
The housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, will meet with significant developers to ensure they deliver and “match our pace and reform.”
Home Builders Signed an Agreement
Over 30 home builders signed a statement supporting the reintroduction of housing targets and the release of “grey belt” land.
Future Plans Reassessed in Spending Review
Ms Rayner has confirmed that the future of government investments in social and affordable housing will be assessed in the following spending review.
New Plans Erase Past Mistakes
Rayner has said, “our decisive reforms to the planning system correct the errors of the past and set us on our way to tackling the housing crisis, delivering 1.5 million homes for those who really need them.”
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Rupert Rivett.