NHF response to new Homes England strategy

In response to the new Homes England strategy, Marie Chadwick, Policy Leader at the National Housing Federation said: 

"We welcome Homes England’s renewed focus on regeneration in this ambitious strategic plan, which rightly recognises the key role housing associations should play in place-making, as well as the importance of sustainability in new communities.

"The NHF and our members have long called on the government and Homes England to do more to enable the regeneration of older, not fit-for-purpose homes to deliver proper "levelling up" across the country. We look forward to hearing more about how flexibilities in the current Affordable Homes Programme will help our members deliver regeneration and would urge the government to recognise that regenerating stock is about more than delivering new homes, but involves delivering jobs and opportunities for communities.

"We also welcome the recognition of the need for more housing for older people and supported housing. With the current Affordable Homes Programme having an aspiration for 10% of delivery to be for these tenures, we as a sector need more detail on how Homes England can help us deliver it, breaking down the barriers put up by uncertain funding arrangements for the ongoing support the residents in these homes need. We hope to explore these issues with them through the government’s new Older Person’s housing taskforce."