Liverpool City Region Housing Associations (LCR HA) – whose members manage more than 470,000 homes across the region – is backing calls for the Government to take decisive action on funding for affordable homes in the upcoming Spending Review.
The call for action marks the first time that seven housing partnerships in devolved regions across Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and also including Homes for the South West, have come together in a joint submission.
Together, members of these groups manage around 1.7 million homes.
In their submission to the Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, they have set out the need for bold, long-term reforms to tackle the housing crisis which has left 15,500 people on housing waiting lists across the Liverpool City Region.
This comes at a crucial time as the Government prepares to set out its spending priorities for the coming years. It also comes as the Liverpool City Region has seen a 330% rise in house prices in the last 30 years.
Léann Hearne, CEO at Livv Housing Group and Chair of Liverpool City Region Housing Associations, said:
“As well as the clear economic benefits, good quality housing is directly linked to better health, wellbeing and educational outcomes and strong, resilient communities. Put simply, a safe home is where success in life stems from.
“The housing sector needs long-term financial certainty and a solid framework in order to both support the Government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes, and maintain or improve our current housing stock.
“We need detailed plans, sufficient funding, and a clear route map for long-term delivery. These measures are essential to successfully address the housing crisis and build a better future for our customers and communities.”
The submission is calling for long-term certainty on funding underpinned by a 10-year rent settlement to help the Government reach its target to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.
The reclassification of housing investment as infrastructure spend would deliver this long-term certainty by putting an end to stop-start funding cycles which have stifled housebuilding and economic growth for decades.
As well as building new homes, they are also calling for the renewal of existing towns to breathe life back into communities, create jobs and support local economic growth.
Research from Shelter and the National Housing Federation, carried out by Cebr, shows that building 90,000 social rented homes would add £51.2 billion to the UK economy, highlighting the wider economic benefits of investing in affordable homes.
Other figures from the Building Research Establishment show that poor quality housing costs the NHS around £1.4 billion a year, yet the relationship between housing and health remains underdeveloped. By renewing towns and replacing outdated homes, we can raise living standards and ease pressure on the NHS.
In their submission, the housing organisations have also proposed two clear funding pots to simplify and accelerate housing investment – one for new housebuilding and another for improving existing homes.
With housing demand soaring, costs rising, and the climate crisis requiring urgent action, they are urging ministers to seize this opportunity and work with the sector to build a housing strategy that delivers for people and communities, as well as the economy.
The full submission – which has been called “a game changing opportunity for Government to back a transformative vision with the full weight of regional leadership behind it” – can be viewed below.
Read the Spending Review submission in full here.