Deputy PM announces house planning reform
Today (30th July) the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced plans to boost house building in the UK, reforming planning regulations and creating at least 1.5million new homes over the next five years.
As part of the wide-ranging changes to planning rules, the Government has indicated that it intends to significantly boost social and affordable housing in its upcoming review, requiring 50% of homes built on green-field sites to be affordable.
Securing a home and managing a tenancy in an economic climate where so many people have been priced out of the private rental market, let alone being able to afford to buy a property has been one of the factors leading to the current homeless statistics. Data from Shelter shows a 27 per cent increase in rough sleeping, 142,500 children are homeless and living in temporary supported accommodation and unwanted private rental moves in England are costing £550m per year. There are simply not enough homes to go around.
At Alabaré, we welcome the announcement by the Government today and hope that they can deliver on these housing targets. Whilst we wait for the new homes to be built, our charity and others will continue to support the homeless, those in temporary accommodation and those at risk of homelessness. We will continue to create innovative schemes such as our Veterans’ Self-Build programme, empowering and upskilling ex-Armed Forces personnel to achieve new careers in the construction industry, whilst helping to build homes, one of which they will be able to live in.
This year Army veteran, Rob, completed the Alabaré Veterans’ Self-Build programme, helping to build a home for his family, and gaining qualifications and a new career as an arborist. Rob had been struggling with his mental health, living in a small, damp flat with his partner and two children who had health problems since birth.
He said:
“I contributed towards the building of the house for my children and this brings me a great deal of peace of mind, knowing that they have a well-built, secure home to enjoy.
“As a direct result of the funding and support I received from Alabaré towards my personal development and training, I was able to secure a job as an arborist with a council in one of the leading cities in the country for carbon neutrality and green initiatives.
“I would like to thank everyone at Alabaré and all of the generous people that donate their hard-earned money to this great charity. You truly are changing the lives of ex-military personnel for the better!”
Vanessa Bedford, Alabaré Director of Care & Support, says:
“Having a safe, warm home is key to the wellbeing of anyone. For young people and adults who are struggling to overcome health problems, to rebuild their lives after addiction, to find a new way ahead after relationship breakdown, we must be able to offer the support they need, and a route to an affordable home they can live in.
“The new Government has made it clear they want to act quickly, resulting in significant pledges such as today’s. Our hope is that this ambition is met with equal determination and focus, and a desire to work closely with the third sector to ensure we can collectively end homelessness for thousands of people each year.”
For more information about our Alabaré’ Veterans’ Self-Build programme, and other services supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, click here.