Housing chiefs debate cabinet role

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Local Government

The Policy Exchange has called on the Government to create a new cabinet role for housing and planning that can "focus 100% on the issue rather than having to please councils and housing bureaucracies".

Alex Morton, senior research fellow for housing & planning at the think tank, says since housing was downgraded from cabinet in the 1970s, housing numbers have steadily fallen.

Writing for the Conservative Home website Mr Morton, said that if the Coalition is serious about more homes it needs to act swiftly and appoint a secretary of state.

Mr Morton’s proposals appear popular with 24dash readers. Some 93% believe the Government should create a dedicated housing department after we reported on the original proposal last month.

However, it has received a lukewarm response from senior housing professionals indicating the Government could make better use of the existing umbrella bodies and needed to recognise the importance of investing in housing.

Keith Exford, chief executive of Affinity Sutton (pictured) and chair of the G15 group – which represents London's 15 biggest housing associations – said unless the Government recognises the importance of housing, a separate department wouldn’t make a difference.

He said: “We must be careful not to confuse form and substance. It is critical that housing is recognised in cabinet for the social and economic importance it has. If government continues to refuse to show investment or commitment in it, it doesn’t matter if there’s a separate department

"Given that housing suffered 60% cuts in the last spending round, I don’t believe that a separate department would make any difference. With that as a backdrop, we can see that the Government does not consider housing to be important."

Mr Exford said housing is a "massively important" part of the economy and of civil society.

He added: “With 4.5 million on the housing register and more becoming homeless, we can see the government does not value it. There should be a housing secretary in cabinet - that would be a signal of intent. As it is, without resources and commitment, I do not see how a separate department would make any difference.”

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said a dedicated department was an “interesting” idea but believed a committed focus on supply was what was needed.

He said: “While the idea of a separate housing department is an interesting one, we believe the key to successfully solving our housing crisis is a sustained and committed focus from government on encouraging and supporting the building of new homes, rather than putting in place any particular departmental structure.”

Tony Stacey, chief executive of South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) and chair of the PlaceShapers group – which includes more than 70 community-based housing associations – said changing structures isn’t always the answer.

He said a "stronger political commitment" to the house building 'placeshaping' agenda could be equally as effective.

He said: "Cameron, Clegg and Osborne really need to get it before this potential can be fully realised. I keep hearing that they do, but the results have been disappointing so far.”