Support to help social housing residents unlock their potential   

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We have awarded 35 people living in social housing Unlocking Success bursaries. These bursaries will support recipients to access education, training and employment. The money can be used to cover costs including course fees, travel, equipment, childcare, and even living expenses.

The money was transferred to successful applicants in time for the start of the new academic year. To honour this year’s winners and raise funds for next year’s scheme, we are holding a celebratory lunch on 6th December at Ramside Hall in Durham.

NHC Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“To celebrate our 50th anniversary we have awarded more bursaries than ever before. The awards will make a real difference. Costs that come with training can be prohibitive and a real barrier to people on low incomes fulfilling their potential. We’ve heard about people relying on their smart phone to complete courses because they can’t afford a laptop; or worrying how they’ll manage to pay for the train to get to university.

“It’s great to be able to make a difference to people’s lives and also support the fantastic work that many of our members do around skills and employment support.”

In the run-up to the Bursary lunch, we will be sharing stories of those receiving awards as part of our 50 stories series.

TJ Rufai, a tenant with Your Home, said: 

“I am deeply grateful to receive the £500 cash award. This financial support means a lot to me. It will be used to advance fund my training and exam, allowing me to focus more on my studies without the burden of financial stress.

“My passion for community interpreting is at the heart of my professional aspirations. So, with this support, I will be able to obtain a Level 3 Interpreting Certificate (CCI) and be able to help my community and the wider community.”

If you would like to attend the Bursary Dinner on 6th December at Ramside Hall contact lynda.redshaw@northern-consortium.org.uk.

Warm Homes, Green Jobs at Labour Party Conference!

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We launched our new research report ‘Warm Homes, Green Jobs: Meeting the Net Zero challenge in the North’ at an event during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

The event was attended by NHC members, contractors, MPs and other key stakeholders, who heard from the NHC’s Tom Kennedy as he presented on the key findings, and solutions, from the research.

Following the presentation, MP for Blaydon and Consett, Liz Twist, and new MP for Middlesborough South and East Cleveland, Luke Myer, responded to the research and gave reflections based on their own constituencies, as well as detailing the Government’s plans to improve the energy efficiency of homes through its Warm Homes Plan.

Warm Homes, Green Jobs sets out how the social housing sector can take the lead in delivering warmer, greener homes across the North. This has the potential to create up to 77,000 good green jobs for northerners.

As part of the research, 36 interviews were conducted with 50 people, including representatives from social housing landlords, local authorities, Mayoral Combined Authorities, contractors, and others who are working to decarbonise the North’s social housing.

Some of these representatives were at the event, and on the panel of speakers we had Tony Cahill Executive Director for Property at Livv Housing, who spoke about Livv’s exemplar approach to retrofitting homes, and the importance of devolution. Attendees also heard from contractor RE:GEN, with Tom Lamb explaining their approach to tackling the green jobs skills gap by offering training to local residents through the RE:GEN Academy.

Chris Brown, Managing Director of Climatise offered his reflections on the research and challenges the sector may face. Finally, Communities that Work’s Lynsey Sweeney explained how we can develop supply chains with local people and the importance of devolving power to Mayoral Combined Authorities to do this. 

It was brilliant to have a real mix of key stakeholders in the room to discuss this research and it was clear to see the ambition in the room from social housing providers, contractors, politicians and other key stakeholders to kickstart a retrofit revolution led by the social housing sector.

All the stakeholders agreed that long-term consistent funding for decarbonising homes is vital to ensure that retrofit can be delivered at scale needed to meet net zero targets. Attendees were also in agreement that further devolution of funding is needed to give Mayoral Combined Authorities the power to lead on delivering suitable energy efficiency improvement for their communities.

We’ll be continuing to build momentum around this report and engaging with key partners to help work towards the recommendations and meet the net zero challenge in the North.

Read Warm Homes, Green Jobs here.

Autumn Budget 2024 Representation

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Earlier this month, the Northern Housing Consortium submitted its representation to HM Treasury in the run up to the new government’s first Autumn Budget, set to take place on 30th October.

Our representation focused on how the new government can support the North’s housing sector to deliver on the government’s ambitions, including building 1.5 million new homes in this parliament, delivering the Warm Homes Plan and improving housing quality in both the social and private rental sectors, by providing the long-term funding certainty that providers need to plan their own investments.

The most important thing that we need to see from government, however, is an immediate two-year extension to the current Homes England Affordable Homes Programme (AHP). Our members, especially small and medium members who access Homes England grant through the Continuous Market Engagement (CME) mechanism, report that they can no longer access grant to develop new homes, as the current programme is now essentially out of funds. If providers cannot access grant funding upon which their development programmes rely, they will not be able to bring forward schemes, even if they have been identified and are ready to progress. This cannot wait until a new AHP commences in 2026 as schemes that have been identified will be at risk of falling through between then and now. A survey of a small number of NHC members found that there are more than 1,500 homes ready for development that cannot now commence due to funding uncertainty. This issue will be much larger across the North. This data was fed in to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Without an extension to the current programme, it is likely that affordable housing starts fall in the near future, taking years to subsequently recover. This will make it much harder for the government to achieve its target of hitting its target of building 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years.

The major policy asks to support the housing sector in the North are:

  1. A two-year extension to the existing Affordable Homes Programme to keep housing providers developing the homes we need, ahead of announcing a new post-2026 programme that can support regeneration and has the flexibility to work with Mayoral Combined Authorities to deliver on local priorities.

 

  1. A new ten-year rent settlement of CPI +1% for social landlords so they can effectively plan their own investments in new and existing homes.

 

  1. A long-term funding commitment for the decarbonisation of the North’s social housing stock of £500 million a year between 2025 and 2030, with a commitment to increase funding to minimum of £1 billion per year from 2030-2035, to cut carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty and support the creation of up to 77,000 new good green jobs in the North.

 

  1. A ten-year, £4.2 billion, programme of devolved brownfield funding to unlock the delivery of 320,000 new homes by remediating all identified brownfield land in the North of England. This needs to be based on a more comprehensive assessment of total project benefits in line with updated value-for-money methodology.

 

  1. The government to consult on both funding and regulation, including a new Decent Homes Standard for both rental sectors, to tackle the challenges with the existing housing stock and the need to regenerate communities across the North. This will also need to include increased capacity funding for local authorities to effectively enforce any regulatory requirements in the private rental sector.

 

  1. Permanently linking Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents to ensure private rental sector affordability and prevent future rises in homelessness

 

Tracy Harrison, Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive, said:

“Our budget representation has focused on how the Government can target investment to enable our members to make a real difference to communities across the North. They’re  ready and waiting to support the Government to deliver new homes,  warmer homes and to regenerate communities.

“However, to deliver this change members need funding certainty. A priority is an immediate two-year extension to the existing Affordable Housing Programme. Our members, particularly smaller and medium sized providers developing through Continuous Market Engagement, report that they can no longer access grant to build new affordable homes despite having schemes that are ready to start development, stalling the delivery of much-needed homes. This must be followed by a longer-term Affordable Homes programme which will be a key part of fulfilling the government’s ambition to build £1.5 million homes over the next parliament.

Other measures which will provide members with certainty to develop and invest in homes include a ten-year rent settlement at CPI + 1% and a £4.2 billion ten year brownfield remediation fund. Investing in decarbonising the North’s homes will pay dividends – £500m investment per year over the next five years and 1 billion for the following five years would cut fuel poverty and carbon emissions and help to create 77,000 good green jobs in the North.

“The government should also provide much-needed security to those in the private rented sector on low incomes and permanently link local housing allowance to the 30th percentile of local market rents to prevent future rises in homelessness. The private rented sector has also been consistently shown to offer the lowest quality homes – it is vital that the government takes forward proposals to apply the new Decent Homes Standard to both the social and private rented sector, following effective consultation with the sector. They must also consult on funding and regulation to so we can work together to tackle the challenges with existing homes and the need to regenerate communities in the North.

“We must also recognise there isn’t ‘a one size fit’s all’ solution. If we want funding to address local issues there needs to be devolution where local leaders, including Mayoral Combined Authorities, are given the flexibility to use their funding where it’s going to bring the most benefit – for example, ensuring all areas can benefit from brownfield funding investment, not just those with high land values. We are pleased that the Labour Party was supportive of devolution in their manifesto and our members are already working to make their ambitions a reality.”

 

The full representation is available here.

320,000 new homes on brownfield land to tackle the North’s housing crisis

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Our latest research report has found there’s capacity for up to 320,000 new homes on brownfield land in the North.

This will help the Government deliver 1.5m new homes over the next 5 years and play a part in finding homes for the 420,000 Northerners on housing waiting lists.

We’re calling for a £4.2 billion funding package from Government over ten years to prepare the brownfield land in the North for new homes.

The current Brownfield Housing Fund is set to support 24,000 new homes. However, NHC research has found Whitehall red tape is stifling the effectiveness of this fund and some of the North’s brownfield sites are not eligible for funding.

To deliver 320,000 homes over ten years, Government brownfield funding must be:

  • Devolved not delegated: Give combined authorities the control to use funding in line with local priorities.
  • More flexible with funding requirements: Current value-for-money requirements mean sites in areas with lower land values are often not eligible. Areas most in need of regeneration are losing out.
  • Longer-term: With the current fund, land remediation work must be completed by March 2025. This means more complex sites, such as contaminated land, are not eligible for support.
  • Supported by increased capacity in local government and combined authorities, including in planning. The government has said they will increase planning capacity which will help local government and combined authorities plan a strategic pipeline of Brownfield projects. But more needs to be done.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“There is a massive opportunity across the North to unlock land for up to 320,000 homes, helping provide much needed homes, regenerate communities and rebalance the economy away from London and the South East.

“But the current funding rules don’t work. Central government requirements mean some of the most deprived areas in need of regeneration are not being developed to provide much-needed homes. Brownfield Funding should be further devolved to give local government and combined authorities the flexibility to use it where it’s needed most.

“The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has started to review brownfield funding and the value-for-money appraisal process for housing and land investment. We are keen to work with the Government to deliver changes which will help our members regenerate communities and unleash the benefits of brownfield-first development.”

You can read “Brownfield First – how devolved brownfield funding can build a new generation of homes in the North” here. It includes fifteen recommendations about how the Government can more effectively fund brownfield development.

The NHC conducted and funded this research. It included discussions with Mayoral Combined Authorities in the North of England.

 

House of Commons celebration for Northern Housing Consortium at 50

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As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we held a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons.

Lord Best OBE DL hosted this special event and was joined by housing leaders, senior civil servants, parliamentarians, residents and community representatives. The reception reflected on the achievements of the past, current challenges, and explored how together we can create great homes and communities in the future.

Alongside Lord Best OBE DL speakers were NHC Chief Executive Tracy Harrison; MP for Blaydon and Consett Liz Twist; Yorkshire Housing resident and Social Housing Tenants’ Climate Jury juror Terry Tasker; NHC Board member Jane Everton; and Onward Homes CEO & NHC Board member Bronwen Rapley.

Liz Twist MP spoke about the work of the NHC and the all-party party parliamentary group to support housing in the North, and the importance of finding specific solutions for every community.

Key themes discussed included the role the NHC plays in bringing the sector together, and the importance of engaging with residents and putting them at the heart of decisions.

 

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive, Northern Housing Consortium, said:

“It was fantastic to get together with senior civil servants, NHC board members and parliamentarians at the House of Commons to reflect on what the NHC has achieved over the past 50 years and to discuss the impact of the new Government’s focus on affordable and sustainable housing. Being here right at the start of this new parliament made the day particularly special.”

“It was also encouraging to hear our offer to the new Government ‘Building the Future of Housing in the North’

referenced consistently throughout the day, alongside plans to maximise opportunities for the North.  It was very clear from the speakers that the sector is ready to kickstart change for the future and do things with a long-term outlook. We are excited to start delivering our plans.”

NHC reaction to Government’s focus on housing

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The NHC has welcomed the new Government’s focus on housing in its first few days of office.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognised the importance of affordable housing in his first speech; and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now promised to “get Britain building” with planning reform and new house building targets.

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium said:

“We welcome the new Government’s focus on housing. The Prime Minister has recognised the importance of affordable housing in his first speech, and this morning, in her first speech, the Chancellor has also set out immediate action to build more homes.

“New housebuilding targets will give certainty and help local authorities to plan more effectively. The focus and reference to more social rent homes is especially welcome.

“Whilst we support more flexibility with greenbelt land, it is good to see the new Government confirm they also want to build more homes on brownfield land. Our research shows there is the potential to build up to 320,000 homes on brownfield land in the North.

“We also welcome the commitment to 300 new planning officers. Local authorities across the North have been hit disproportionately by cuts to planning departments, and capacity support is desperately needed.”

Welcome to our new executive director for operations and finance

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We’ve appointed a new Executive Director for Operations and Finance. Andrea Downey brings with her more than 25 years’ experience of working in both the public and private sector, with previous roles in Network Rail and the NHS, as well as in the publishing and media sectors.  

She will also play a key role in the leadership of our procurement arm, Consortium Procurement, which offers a trusted and compliant service to 400 members nationally.  

Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:  

“Andrea will play a central role in making sure we achieve the best possible value for members and make maximum use of our resources across the entire organisation. Andrea’s expertise will be a real added benefit to our members, as we work together to influence policy and change people’s lives for the better.”  

As well as her previous roles in the UK, Andrea spent five years working abroad, gaining an insight into different cultures and work practices, and has also acted as a consultant, advising SMEs on finance and change management.  

Andrea Downey, Executive Director for Operations and Finance said:  

“I was attracted to Northern Housing Consortium because of its very clear ethos of making a positive impact. The organisation’s focus on levelling up in the north through social housing improvements is close to my heart; I grew up in a council house and it was a positive experience, and I would like that for others too.” 

Tracy Harrison added:  

“As we start work on a new plan for the future of Northern Housing Consortium and Consortium Procurement we want to grow and support more members than ever before. We will soon welcome a new government and Andrea will help us put the foundations in place at a crucial time for housing in the North.  This includes building relationships with the financial directors of our members, to share experiences and find solutions.”  

The NHC’s offer to the next Government

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We’ve launched a new offer to the next government to transform communities in the North and enable thousands more northerners to live in good quality homes.

‘Building the Future of Housing in the North’ outlines our priorities for a renewed partnership between the Government and our members up to 2035. It includes:

  • Refocusing on regeneration – building new social homes and transforming the North’s communities
  • A retrofit revolution to decarbonise the North’s older, colder homes, and to create up to 77,000 good green jobs
  • Making sure everyone across the north has a good quality, safe place to call home.

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium said:

“Housing associations, local authorities and ALMOs own 1.3m homes across the North. Social housing providers already make a huge contribution to local economies across the North, delivering around 60,000 new homes over the last five years, supporting over 70,000 jobs, and creating great places for people to live.

“However, we need to go much further and faster to tackle some of the challenges we face in the diverse housing markets we have across the North. That’s why we need a new partnership with Government, with a commitment to long-term investment. This will create the certainty needed to deliver new homes, refurbish existing ones, unlock brownfield land for up to 320,000 homes, as well as creating 77,000 green jobs through decarbonising the North’s older, colder homes.”

“There is much to do but we and our members stand ready to work in partnership with the next Government to create great homes, great places, and a new generation of green jobs.”

Our proposals would be delivered by:

Building new social homes and transforming the North’s communities

  • A new long-term Affordable Homes Programme announced in the Government’s first 100 days, with greater flexibility to support regeneration projects, more influence for Mayoral Combined Authorities over where and how the money is spent in local areas, and social rent as the predominant tenure.
  • Delivering up to 320,000 homes on the North’s brownfield land, through a ten-year £4.2 billion fund delivered through Mayoral Combined Authorities.
  • Unlocking more sites and more delivery across the North by ensuring wider social and economic benefits are properly taken into account in all Government funding streams.
  • The devolution to local authorities of key aspects of Right to Buy policy, allowing discounts to be set locally and all receipts to be retained and spent within local areas.

A retrofit revolution to tackle the North’s older, colder homes and create jobs

  • Unlock up to 77,000 good green jobs across the North through a phased 10-year investment in decarbonisation of homes in the North. Government would need to invest £500 million a year to meet EPC C by 2030, and £1 billion a year up to 2035 to make meaningful progress towards Net Zero.
  • Devolve funding for retrofit for all housing tenures to Mayoral Combined Authorities – as part of expanded devolution agreements, to enable a place-based approach to domestic retrofit.

Making sure everyone across the North has a good quality home 

  • A new Decent Homes Standard for both the social and private rented sector to ensure good quality homes for northerners.
  • This should be backed up by a new financial settlement for social housing providers including a guarantee that social sector rents can increase by up to Consumer Price Index +1% over the next ten years, so the sector can deliver the changes needed.
  • Support for local authorities to tackle poor quality homes in the private rented sector, removing barriers to local authority licensing schemes and providing an initial 2-year funding pot for enforcement.

The NHC is also calling for a sustainable financial settlement for local authorities to underpin the vital work the sector does in local communities, as well specific investment to rebuild much-needed planning capacity which has been more badly hit by cuts in the North than other regions.

‘Building the Future of Housing in the North’ is available here.