Update on the Association’s recent political engagement and The Social Housing Bill:

National Planning Policy Framework

The Almshouse Association has recorded over 60 letters to the Secretary of State in support of our proposed amendment to the National Planning Policy Framework to properly recognise almshouses as affordable housing.

This amendment is requested as part of the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill. Thank you to everyone who has engaged their MPs and helped raise the profile of the almshouse movement. The Association’s visit to Theresa May MP was a great boost to our cause and her persuasive letter added weight to the many other letters seeking change.

The Bill has now passed to The House of Lords where the battle continues and last week Baroness Hayman of Ullock requested the amendment to the definition of affordable housing. This is likely now to be debated in September, and having also been tabled as an amendment, it will be considered. Further support for an amendment to the definition has also been expressed by Baroness Scott.

We will continue to raise the issue and build support from Peers in the hope that this minor change to the National Planning Policy Framework is affected. The definition of affordable housing was sent to all MPs last Friday from The House of Commons as part of their familiarisation homework. We hope this is a precursor to further discussions around the subject.

Other work is on going in relation to Regulated Housing and the almshouse model seeking a more proportionate form of regulation for almshouse charities.

The Social Housing Bill has now received Royal Assent

The Social Housing Regulation Act received royal assent this week.

This is a huge milestone in the Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Tragedy, and represents the biggest change to the regulation of social housing in over a decade.

The Act will make a real difference including:

  • Facilitating the introduction of proactive consumer regulation by the Regulator of Social Housing, with regular inspections of the largest landlords
  • Stronger enforcement powers for the Regulator to take action where landlords do not meet the standards
  • Additional Housing Ombudsman powers to publish best practice guidance to landlords following investigations into tenant complaints 
  • Powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould, as part of Awaab’s Law
  • Powers to set new qualification requirements for social housing managers 

The passage of this legislation is one step in the Government’s social housing reform programme. In the near future, the Regulator will consult on revisions to the consumer standards and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) will take forward consultations on Awaab’s Law, changes to the Decent Homes Standard, the professionalisation of the sector and the Access to Information Scheme.

DLUC ended their statement by saying:

“We would like to thank The Almshouse Association for your support and challenge during the passage of the Bill. The Government believes strongly in the value of almshouses providing good quality homes in the sector, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the implementation of the new consumer regime.”

We too look forward to working with DLUC and other government departments in the hope of affecting change where it is needed and supporting change where are members feel it is right.

posted 25 July 2023