Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
5
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Acknowledged
Even though social landlords have been anticipating the introduction of Awaab’s Law for some time, the way the Government managed the introduction of Phase 1 unnecessarily added to the uncertainty and complexity providers had to grapple with to ensure they were ready to comply. We are disappointed that the final …
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Even though social landlords have been anticipating the introduction of Awaab’s Law for some time, the way the Government managed the introduction of Phase 1 unnecessarily added to the uncertainty and complexity providers had to grapple with to ensure they were ready to comply. We are disappointed that the final guidance on Awaab’s Law was published so close to when the regulations came into effect. The Government must learn from this for future phases. Social landlords and tenants need a much clearer roadmap or timeline for when the remaining phases of Awaab’s Law will be introduced, and clarity on when official guidance will be provided. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)
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Government response AI summary
The government responded to its consultation on an updated Decent Homes Standard, designed to meet modern expectations of housing quality and provides certainty to plan and spread costs long-term with a deadline of 2035.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
7
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Acknowledged
Progress at retrofitting social homes needs to accelerate if the sector is going to upgrade the remaining homes up to the required standard by 2030. The Government has not yet provided sufficient clarity to the sector on the funding available for retrofits over the Parliament. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)
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Progress at retrofitting social homes needs to accelerate if the sector is going to upgrade the remaining homes up to the required standard by 2030. The Government has not yet provided sufficient clarity to the sector on the funding available for retrofits over the Parliament. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is focused on delivering transformational change and rebuilding financial capacity, but does not specifically address the lack of clarity on retrofit funding.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
8
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Acknowledged
The Government needs to urgently provide the sector with clarity on the funding that will be available over the remainder of this Parliament to help providers deliver the necessary improvements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)
Government response AI summary
The government states that the Regulator of Social Housing has introduced a new consumer regulation regime and is committed to developing detailed guidance on the revised Decent Homes Standard, but provides no specific details on funding.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
12
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Acknowledged
The Government must introduce a process to periodically review and, if necessary, update the Decent Homes Standard at least every 10 years to ensure it reflects the changing needs of the population, environmental pressures, scientific evidence of the hazards to health from poor housing and societal expectations of what a …
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The Government must introduce a process to periodically review and, if necessary, update the Decent Homes Standard at least every 10 years to ensure it reflects the changing needs of the population, environmental pressures, scientific evidence of the hazards to health from poor housing and societal expectations of what a decent home consists of. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49)
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Government response AI summary
The government responded to its consultation on an updated Decent Homes Standard, designed to meet modern expectations of housing quality and provides certainty to plan and spread costs long-term with a deadline of 2035.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
18
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Acknowledged
The steps the Government is taking to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity to invest in new and existing homes will help providers to meet new regulatory standards. However, we are concerned that supply chain constraints, workforce shortages and the limited uptake of technologies will mean that providers may not have …
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The steps the Government is taking to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity to invest in new and existing homes will help providers to meet new regulatory standards. However, we are concerned that supply chain constraints, workforce shortages and the limited uptake of technologies will mean that providers may not have the necessary capacity and capability to deliver the improvements to social homes that the Government aims to achieve over the next decade. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for a skilled supply chain and is working with the industry to provide training opportunities and build a diverse workforce, but provides no specific commitments.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
21
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Acknowledged
In response to this report, the Government must set out the timeframe for creating a statutory, UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman and the details of the mandatory consumer code developers will need to abide by. (Recommendation, Paragraph 77) 49
Government response AI summary
The government remains committed to implementing a statutory New Homes Ombudsman scheme, but provides no timeframe or details of the consumer code.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
3
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s decision to apply the new Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation. A national minimum standard covering all temporary accommodation will help to raise the quality of accommodation provided. However, while we recognise the need for an implementation period, we are concerned that the Government has not …
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We welcome the Government’s decision to apply the new Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation. A national minimum standard covering all temporary accommodation will help to raise the quality of accommodation provided. However, while we recognise the need for an implementation period, we are concerned that the Government has not set interim targets or milestones to make sure the sector is on track to comply with the new standard by 2035. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22) 61
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the application of the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation and plans to apply the reformed standard wherever possible, noting current standards already apply. It acknowledges the need for an implementation period but doesn't set specific interim targets, instead committing to publish …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
17
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
The ministry must update the statutory guidance to make clear that placing families in accommodation where the need to share facilities with single male adults is not suitable and should work with councils to bring such placements to an end. (Recommendation, Paragraph 56) Lack of basic facilities and furnishings
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The ministry must update the statutory guidance to make clear that placing families in accommodation where the need to share facilities with single male adults is not suitable and should work with councils to bring such placements to an end. (Recommendation, Paragraph 56) Lack of basic facilities and furnishings
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of safeguarding and minimizing risks, stating current guidance prohibits B&Bs for families. They commit to engaging with the sector to consider whether further guidance amendments are needed to clarify that placements for children must minimize safeguarding risks.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
19
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
We welcome the government’s decision to apply the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation. However, we are concerned that the standard will not guarantee people housed in some types of temporary accommodation access to the basic facilities, such as a kitchen, that they need for daily life. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64)
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We welcome the government’s decision to apply the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation. However, we are concerned that the standard will not guarantee people housed in some types of temporary accommodation access to the basic facilities, such as a kitchen, that they need for daily life. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged the concern, stating the Decent Homes Standard already applies to social landlord temporary accommodation. They committed to engaging with the sector to implement the standard across different temporary accommodation types and are reviewing compliance and considering amending the Suitability Order.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
27
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
Competition between local authorities and other public bodies drives up the costs of temporary accommodation and restricts the ability of local authorities to raise standards locally. We are pleased that the ministry is working with the Home Office to test ways to reduce competition between public bodies for residential accommodation. …
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Competition between local authorities and other public bodies drives up the costs of temporary accommodation and restricts the ability of local authorities to raise standards locally. We are pleased that the ministry is working with the Home Office to test ways to reduce competition between public bodies for residential accommodation. However, we are disappointed that the National Plan to End Homelessness did not include a firmer stance on eliminating this unhelpful practice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 86)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concern about competition driving up temporary accommodation costs, stating it is working to explore a value-for-money model for asylum accommodation and using crown land to mitigate issues and reduce homelessness risk.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
29
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
We are concerned about councils’ increasing reliance on privately managed, nightly-paid accommodation. This provision is not merely expensive. The use of nightly-paid accommodation limits councils’ ability to raise standards and offers little stability to households who are at risk of being moved at short notice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 90)
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We are concerned about councils’ increasing reliance on privately managed, nightly-paid accommodation. This provision is not merely expensive. The use of nightly-paid accommodation limits councils’ ability to raise standards and offers little stability to households who are at risk of being moved at short notice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 90)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concern regarding expensive, poor-quality nightly-paid accommodation and states it is considering incentives for local authorities to enter better value, longer-term arrangements as part of a review.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
31
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to more people being more at risk of homelessness and in need of temporary accommodation. The freeze also makes it difficult for councils to help households find a permanent home they can afford. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93) …
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We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to more people being more at risk of homelessness and in need of temporary accommodation. The freeze also makes it difficult for councils to help households find a permanent home they can afford. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93) 66
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges concerns about the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) freeze, stating it will keep LHA rates under review and notes that rates were set to the 30th percentile from April 2024. It also points to the Crisis Resilience Fund Housing Payment for additional support.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
37
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Acknowledged
We welcome the efforts that the ministry is taking to improve the physical condition of temporary accommodation. However, if providers choose to sell properties that are too costly to upgrade or try to take advantage of regulatory gaps between tenures, these efforts could adversely impact supply. (Conclusion, Paragraph 105)
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We welcome the efforts that the ministry is taking to improve the physical condition of temporary accommodation. However, if providers choose to sell properties that are too costly to upgrade or try to take advantage of regulatory gaps between tenures, these efforts could adversely impact supply. (Conclusion, Paragraph 105)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the risk that interventions to raise temporary accommodation standards could adversely impact supply, outlining its National Plan to End Homelessness, including a £950 million fund and exploring partnerships to invest in quality accommodation.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government