All Comment articles – Page 10
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CommentCohousing can help us build a better-connected and friendlier London
Cohousing communities are gaining popularity in the US, Nick Rogers argues they can help tackle isolation in the UK capital too and wants City Hall support for the idea.
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CommentIs the reputation of housebuilders really that bad?
Recent surveys suggest that housebuilders’ customers are more satisfied than is often portrayed in the media, writes David Thomas
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CommentWhat the second staircase guidance means for the industry
The long-awaited guidance will give developers confidence to proceed on projects, but debates will continue, writes Andrew Mellor
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CommentLessons from Australia: What England’s social housing system could learn from down under
Matthew Bailes recently attended a housing conference in Melbourne. Here he compares the Australian and English social housing systems and finds much to like in the former.
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CommentHow do we respond to the devastating affordable housing funding cuts in Scotland?
The social housing sector in Scotland is reeling from a 26% cut to affordable housing funding. But what can the sector do in response? asks Ryan Barclay
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CommentGove's changes to the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme make it a better financing option
Michael Gove’s rule changes and £3bn extra for low-cost loan scheme are positive for the housing sector, writes Gary Grigor
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CommentThe housing crisis and its zombie myths that won’t go away
Interest rates driving house prices and landbanking by housebuilders are myths that persist, despite being debunked several times over, writes Paul Smith
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CommentHow tenure-blind design can help chip away at social housing stigma
‘Poor doors’ can reinforce segregation based on economic status, but there are often good reasons why affordable housing is kept separate from market sale homes. This circle can be squared, writes James Zamchick
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CommentA lack of housing impacts every aspect of people’s lives
As we look ahead to the election, politicians must realise a shortage of homes affects physical and mental health, education, work, mobility and leisure, writes Richard Jones
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CommentWhy green belt development is sometimes the best
Building on the green belt is politically unpopular, but it can bring benefits that brownfield development cannot, argues Craig Pettit
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CommentSmall tweaks can help nudge the decarbonisation revolution forward
Today’s biggest challenge is to reduce the climate damage from our existing homes, writes Chris Brown
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CommentMeeting the design code challenge
Design codes are now required to be embedded in local plans. Ben Derbyshire explains what local authorities and the housing sector need to consider.
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CommentAwaab’s Law and the Future Homes Standard consultations: Key impacts for social housing providers and contractors
Multiple sets of new standards for homes will give providers plenty to think about, including costs and skills, write Matthew Scott and Megan Hinch
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CommentHousebuilders must beware the looming land shortage
The worsening availability of developable land could soon mean housebuilders having to choose between being more aggressive in the land market or shrinking their business, warns Paul Smith
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CommentSecond staircase rule highlights benefits of earlier due diligence
Michael’s Gove plan to mandate second staircases in blocks above 18 metres makes necessary a shift in housebuilders’ approach to compliance, argues Phil Smith.
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CommentPartnerships are key to delivering housing in difficult times
There is a will among residents for new and better housing but there are many hurdles which can only be overcome by working together, writes Darragh Hurley
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CommentMinisters must think of housing as national infrastructure - not as an addition to national debt
Long-term investment in housing would create economic benefits, supporting growth, jobs, skills and supply chains, argues Fiona Fletcher-Smith
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CommentSector must shape the evolution of social housing competence and conduct standards
The government’s consultation on proposed new standards for social housing managers is an opportunity for the sector to help ensure a balanced approach, writes Gavin Smart
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CommentMany housing associations’ earnings aren’t enough to cover costs – it’s grave news for housing delivery
As interest cover falls to record lows, ministers must help registered providers rebuild their financial capacity, argues Paul Hackett