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CommentIf you expect to own homes for a century, you design differently
The Future Homes Standard has a focus on adoption of low-carbon technologies. But for social landlords who manage homes in the long-term, the quality of the building fabric is the most important factor, writes David Stronge.
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CommentEnsuring every resident can use their voice regardless of race, faith or heritage
In the current climate it’s vital social landlords go beyond listening and take meaningful action so residents feel their community belongs to them, writes Kai Jackson
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CommentThose who accuse housebuilders of landbanking misunderstand how development works
The idea that developers routinely profit from withholding consented land is wrong and diverts political energy from the structural reforms needed to boost delivery, writes Huseyin Huseyin
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CommentThe planning system needs to take viability more seriously
Residential development is unviable in nearly half of England. Government must either reduce build costs by removing regulation or subsidise development from the public purse, argues Paul Smith
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CommentThe new Decent Homes Standard: the clock is already ticking for registered providers
In the face of new requirements to improve stock, the question is no longer whether landlords should invest in systems, data, and capability, but how quickly they can afford to do so and whether that is fast enough, write Martin Gladwin and Donna Whitlam
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CommentMulti-tenure strategy seen in first SAHP allocations is right approach to tackle housing need
Pivoting the £39bn programme to social rent at the expense of other tenures would have failed to meet need while hampering overall delivery, writes Jordan McCay
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CommentWe cannot plan for 1.5 million homes without planning for water
Water scarcity should be a catalyst for better infrastructure planning, not another barrier to delivery, argues Lisa Cook
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CommentWhy social housing property professionals must understand people as well as buildings
The sector faces a challenge in finding staff who can answer technical questions about assets while also asking what decisions mean for residents, argues Mark Moore
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CommentAmbitious new housing developments are nothing without the infrastructure to support them
Infrastructure must stop being viewed as a secondary consideration, argues Tom O’Brien
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CommentRough sleeping won’t end with bricks and mortar alone
As Andy Burnham pledges to eredicate rough sleeping, Rachel Chiu explores why lasting change will take much more than new homes
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CommentSection 106 in 2026: why the hardest part of a permission now happens after committee
The system requires more realism, clarity and flexibility, argues Francis Truss
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CommentThe difficult housing market is prompting innovation in joint ventures and partnerships
At a time of tight finances, Richard Jones explains how both public and private organisations are reassessing how they structure their relationships
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CommentThe government is right to be more interventionist on planning
Governments have tried assuming every council will plan maturely and conscientiously. But this hasn’t worked so Matthew Pennycook’s more robust approach is needed, writes Paul Smith.
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CommentReputation, relationships and results: what I’ve learnt about complaints during my seven years as Housing Ombudsman
In his last column as ombudsman, Richard Blakeway reflects on the progress the social housing sector has made as a new prime minister takes the reins
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CommentHere are three quick housing wins for Andy Burnham
The prime minister has a short window to demonstrate the difference his government can make. Tom Arnold outlines three ideas that could be effective while not impacting day-to-day spending or requiring primary legislation
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CommentA new government. But will social housing tenants finally see the change they need?
The Burnham administration has an opportunity to think differently by ensuring residents become partners in shaping housing policy, writes Kai Jackson
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CommentWhy Burnham needs to be bold and go Dutch to tackle the youth jobs crisis and address our construction skills shortage
With nearly one million young people classified as Neet and the housebuilding sector facing a shortfall of 1.3 million tradespeople, Vistry’s Stephen Teagle argues the Burnham government needs a radical approach to technical education
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CommentBuilding Safety Act compliance: Who owns the risk at gateway three?
After many found difficulties at gateway three, housebuilders are now alert to challenges at the regime’s third and final approval stage. Charis Beverton looks at what the sector and regulator can do to avoid a repeat of the problems
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CommentChange is in the air: how Burnham can boost housebuilding
In his last Housing Today column as chief executive of Barratt Redrow, David Thomas outlines some ways of boosting housebuilding while reminding us why it is important
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CommentIt’s time to remove the weapon of housing debt from the hands of abusers
Too often domestic abuse survivors are prevented from getting a social housing tenancy because of being held responsible for debt they didn’t even know about. A new amendment to the Social Housing Bill backed by the Chartered Institute of Housing would tackle this problem, writes Polly Neate