Patrick Franco, Chief Executive of Notting Hill Genesis said:
“We welcome the government’s ambitious plan to ‘turbo-charge’ housebuilding, generate wealth and unlock economic growth for the whole of the country.
“While we are pleased to see the government’s draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform bill included and are equally encouraged by the proposed legislation on building and planning reform, which promises to improve operating conditions for our sector and help those struggling to make ends meet, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the ongoing funding of housing associations. We would have welcomed the Government outlining how it intends to collaborate with us and other housing associations over the next five years to deliver the 300,000 homes per year needed to meet housing targets. With rental prices rising and long social housing waitlists making affordable, high-quality housing inaccessible for many, collaboration between housing associations and the government will be crucial for success.
“Alongside our G15 colleagues, we are also calling for the government to enact legislation that guarantees long-term rent certainty, provides access to the Building Safety Fund, and efficiently allocates the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
“While the legislation announced today will go some way to improve the housing sector, there is still more to be done and these commitments must now be backed by swift decisive action.”
