Following a significant push from Association member charities and supporting MPs, we have seen a consistent response to questions in the House of Commons.
This government response is significant because for the first time the answer to the questions posed is suggesting that local government has the power to decide if almshouses meet the terms of Sec106. We have long argued that the National Planning Policy Framework is guidance only and that charities should be considered as proper affordable housing.
HoC Written Answer: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Almshouses: Affordable Housing
Q: Siobhain McDonagh (Lab) (Mitcham and Morden): (194657) To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to include almshouses in the National Planning Policy Framework definition of affordable housing.
A: Rachel Maclean (Con) (Redditch): I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 185863 on 30 May 2023.
Almshouses play a valuable role in providing homes for communities across the country. Registration with the Regulator of Social Housing is voluntary for almshouses, and a number of almshouses do choose to register. Where almshouses are registered with the Regulator, they are required to meet the Regulator’s economic and consumer standards.
Affordable housing contributions in Section 106 agreements are negotiated between local planning authorities and developers.
Grouped Questions: 194587, 194656
Source
HoC Written Answer: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Almshouses: Regulation
Q: Siobhain McDonagh (Lab) (Mitcham and Morden): (194656) To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to bring forward proposals on the regulation of almshouses.
A: Rachel Maclean (Con) (Redditch): I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 185863 on 30 May 2023.
Almshouses play a valuable role in providing homes for communities across the country. Registration with the Regulator of Social Housing is voluntary for almshouses, and a number of almshouses do choose to register. Where almshouses are registered with the Regulator, they are required to meet the Regulator’s economic and consumer standards.
Affordable housing contributions in Section 106 agreements are negotiated between local planning authorities and developers.
Grouped Questions: 194587, 194657
Source
HoC Written Answer: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Almshouses: Finance
Q: Daisy Cooper (Lib Dem) (St Albans): (194587) To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling alms houses to access section 106 funding in the same way as housing associations.
A: Rachel Maclean (Con) (Redditch): I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 185863 on 30 May 2023.
Almshouses play a valuable role in providing homes for communities across the country. Registration with the Regulator of Social Housing is voluntary for almshouses, and a number of almshouses do choose to register. Where almshouses are registered with the Regulator, they are required to meet the Regulator’s economic and consumer standards.
Affordable housing contributions in Section 106 agreements are negotiated between local planning authorities and developers.
Grouped Questions: 194656, 194657
We are asking further questions of Government.
posted 27 July 2023