The Fifth Estate’s Post

In the midst of the UK's ongoing housing crisis, The Labour Party's ambitious plan to build 300,000 homes annually represents a bold step towards addressing a critical need. The party's strategy not only aims to meet current demand but also to tackle the long-standing shortage that has driven property prices to unsustainable levels. This commitment is particularly significant as no government in over half a century has achieved such a target. While this plan is promising, experts caution that it alone may not be enough to fundamentally reform the housing market. Systemic changes are also needed to ensure affordability and accessibility for all. Do you think housing developers are equipped to meet this target? #HousingCrisis #LabourParty #SocialHousing Source: https://lnkd.in/ev78CPbJ.

Targets have been set: now it’s time for councils to upzone and builders to build 🏗️ By allocating 40,000 homes to inner and middle ring LGAs, the Victorian Government has shown that they have heard YIMBY Melbourne loud and clear: we need more homes where people want to live. The Government’s draft targets for Darebin, Kingston and Yarra align well with those published by YIMBY Melbourne. The only sustainable way for councils to meet their targets is to densify existing suburbs to maintain the best access to jobs, services, and green space that these inner suburbs are known for. --- The Government’s housing targets do not appear to consider the differences in the economic feasibility between building homes in different local government areas. While important factors such as public transport, jobs, and environmental hazard risk were used in the methodology, construction costs, land and home prices should be considered too. Without a demand and data-driven methodology, there is a risk councils have been assigned targets higher than can be feasibly built, while the council areas where housing demand is highest might have targets lower than could be profitably built. This risks making the distribution of targets inequitable, by setting up some local councils to be perpetually behind their targets while rewarding others for building a fraction of the capacity they could support. We urge the Government to release their methodology and data sets for external validation. --- The Government has laid out its terms and the ball is now in the councils' court, but one thing is clear: the status quo is no longer an option. These targets cannot be met through building a few towers to subsidise endless urban sprawl. In order to meet these targets, local councils across Melbourne must upzone around our public transport network to unlock Melbourne’s Missing Middle. If councils choose to maintain the status quo, they are choosing to prolong our housing crisis.

An admirable commitment by our new government to build homes. Now we need to see a plan. This article lays out some of the challenges around social and affordable housing. The planning issues may be easier to overcome now but there are many other issues to be addressed too such as the basic infrastructure, roads and water supplies, as well as schools, medical services and more. And most importantly ensuring safety and sustainability. There’s still so much confusion around the #buildingsafetyact that has to be a priority. So Keir Starmer Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Angela Rayner, we need to see the details. #construction #housing National Housing Federation Local Government Association

New housing targets released today by the NSW Government aim to tackle the housing crisis that is impacting households across the state but particularly in the Sydney region which has experienced escalating home prices. The NSW Government highlighted the importance of the issue referring to a Productivity Commission report that found between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30-40 as it gained. The strategy to reverse this alarming trend is to construct more homes close to existing infrastructure, transport links, and amenities, as well as near employment opportunities. New planning reforms such as the Transport Oriented Developments (TODs) and higher density approvals are an integral part of the new planning strategy. Constructing more homes in infill areas is also designed to rebalance home construction activity from the West of Sydney towards both the East and North of Sydney. The 377,000 new homes target for NSW set for the period spanning from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029 will mostly come from infill areas (82 percent) with the balance coming from greenfield sites. Importantly the NSW Government has also announced incentives and grants programs for Councils who undertake faster assessments and meet and exceed their housing targets. A $200 million grants program will allow Councils to fund more green space, including parks and sporting facilities and use the additional funding for maintenance purposes of local streets and footpaths. The NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the government was pulling on levers required to reform planning and set targets for housing growth while providing the infrastructure needed to build better communities. The Minister for Planning Paul Scully commented that the new housing targets promote a fairer distribution across Sydney and NSW, with housing growth occurring in areas where employment and transport either exist or are planned for. Whilst the new housing targets will be challenging to meet, there is a plan in place and incentive structures for local governments to have a real crack at meeting them. Importantly complimentary policy measures that address skilled labour shortages, rising material costs and other housing supply related issues will also be crucial in determining how many homes can be delivered over the planned period. #infrastructure #housing #councils #TOD #rezoning #planning

We all know the UK needs more homes 🏡 I'm in favour of Labour’s plans to simplify the planning process and make it easier for developers to start building 👷♀️(whether it yields the results they’re hoping for is a matter for another day). But I can’t help but think about my own experience living in an area where a surge in new homes has put a real strain on local infrastructure. 👎 The local schools are oversubscribed 👎 It’s impossible to get a doctor's appointment (unless I somehow manage to snag one within 0.00003 seconds of them becoming available on the app) 👎 The roads are more congested than ever, making rush hour a real headache It isn’t all bad, there have been positives to come out of it too: 👍 We’ve now got a fantastic council-run leisure centre that everyone loves (especially my football-mad boys) 👍 A bunch of new bars and cafes have sprung up (which isn’t great for my bank balance, but they do bring a nice vibe to the area) I'm not against development - after all, I live in one of these new houses - but I just hope the government gets the balance right. ⚖️ It's crucial that new developments enhance our communities without overwhelming them.

NSW Housing Supply Review: What Investors Need to Know The NSW housing market is undergoing significant changes, and the latest Review of Housing Supply Challenges and Policy Options by the Productivity and Equality Commission outlines key developments. Commissioned by Premier Chris Minns, this report addresses the barriers impacting housing supply and offers 32 recommendations to fast-track development. Here’s a breakdown of the key points: 🚧 Boosting Construction Capacity The report calls for prioritizing capital spending and removing restrictions to enable faster construction of homes. It focuses on building in locations near existing infrastructure to maximize efficiency and meet housing demand quickly. ⚙️ Streamlining the Development Process A major goal is to eliminate bottlenecks in the development approval process. This includes ensuring necessary infrastructure is in place to support housing growth and creating a more pro-housing regulatory environment. 👷 Building Up the Construction Workforce To address skill shortages, the report suggests shifting migration policies and building a more robust construction workforce. Innovation and productivity improvements will also be critical in meeting housing targets. 🏘️ Diverse & Equitable Housing Supply A key recommendation is to ensure a variety of housing options that cater to both renters and homeowners. The government is also focused on social and affordable housing, with the largest rezoning efforts in NSW history and billions in funding set aside. The NSW Government is now developing an action plan to implement these recommendations, with a focus on clearing roadblocks and increasing housing supply. Why This is a Great Opportunity for Investors With $5.1 billion dedicated to social and affordable housing, along with a $2.2 billion infrastructure fund, the property market is positioned for growth. The removal of barriers to construction, faster approval processes, and targeted investment in infrastructure will increase housing supply, making it a prime time for investors to explore new opportunities. As more housing comes online, demand for well-located properties will rise, giving investors the chance to secure assets in a growing market. Stay informed and be ready for what's coming. #HousingSupply #NSWProperty #RealEstate #InvestmentOpportunities #PlanningReforms #AffordableHousing #PropertyMarket

Angela Rayner on Affordable Housing: Ambitious Targets, But Where's the Funding? Angela Rayner recently reiterated Labour's commitment to tackling the housing crisis.   She’s pledged to build 150,000 affordable homes a year, including 100,000 council houses.   That sounds promising, but there’s one critical question we should be asking:   How can we achieve this without additional funding or clear direction from Homes England? Currently, we’re seeing a serious funding gap: The UK needs 340,000 new homes a year (including 145,000 affordable homes) according to the National Housing Federation. The Affordable Homes Programme had an initial funding commitment of £11.5 billion but that’s far from adequate to meet this level of demand. So far, there’s no sign of an increase in this budget or clarity on how Homes England will continue to support the delivery of these homes post-2025. Local authorities and housing associations are already stretched, and with inflation pushing up construction costs by over 10% in the last year alone, the financial strain is growing.   Without additional government investment or private sector incentives, it's hard to see how these targets are anything more than aspirations. Simply put, affordable homes can't be delivered on promises alone.   We need detailed, transparent plans, long-term funding solutions, and stronger partnerships with developers to avoid falling short on these critical housing targets. What’s your take on how we bridge the funding gap? Photo - I thought my network may like some good old questionable H&S on a Wednesday morning! #fundinggap #affordablehousing #constructionnews

🚀 Revitalising Affordable Housing: Northstowe and Labour's Vision for a Brighter Housing Future in the UK The UK housing market faces a critical moment. This week, Labour pledged to accelerate affordable housing projects across the UK with a "new homes accelerator." As part of this initiative, Cambridgeshire's Northstowe has been earmarked as a focal project, aiming to transform the new town into a thriving community with 10,000 homes for over 26,000 residents. Northstowe’s journey highlights the complexities of housing delivery. Although 1,480 homes and essential facilities such as schools are in place, amenities like shops and GP services are still needed. With projects like Northstowe, Labour seeks to stimulate home availability while ensuring affordability, addressing the broader UK housing crisis by: 🏡 Accelerating Planning Approvals: Labour aims to simplify planning regulations and reinstate housing targets, aiming to empower local councils and developers to fast-track housing initiatives. 🏡 Right to Buy Reform & Council Housing Growth: Plans are underway for a robust return to council-built homes, with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner advocating for the largest wave of council housing in decades. 🏡 Supporting Large-Scale & Localized Development: Northstowe exemplifies the strategic partnership model Labour supports, involving both large developers and local stakeholders to balance affordability with economic viability. At United Kingdom Development Corporation, we’re committed to supporting the growth of sustainable, affordable housing developments in the UK, fostering partnerships that deliver lasting community impact. For developers and investors eager to be part of the UK’s housing future, let’s connect! Together, we can transform the landscape of affordable housing. Join us in shaping the future of UK development! Get in Touch: 🌐 Visit: www.ukdevelopmentcorp.com ☎️ Call: 01642917330 📩 Email: enquiries@ukdevelopmentcorp.com #AffordableHousing #HousingForAll #SocialHousing #UKDevelopment #Northstowe #LabourHousingPlan #PlanningReform #UKRealEstate #SustainableDevelopment #RightToBuy

While the focus on growth in the UK housing markets has been well received by the UK's house builders not everyone shares that positive view. There is growing evidence that some councils, particularly rural councils are "livid" about the enforced targets and what they mean for their areas. For Wiltshire the new government targets will lead to an 81% increase in planned new builds each year. The dropping of the commitment to the highly subjective "beautiful" homes is also causing some concern. However, in many rural areas such as Wiltshire, Cornwall and the Cotswolds there have long been concerns about affordability particularly for people employed in fishery and agriculture. The government's commitment to new builds in "grey belt" areas is that 50% of housing should be affordable. This is probably great news for agricultural workers in Wiltshire priced out of the market by people moving out of London or buying second homes. The average house price in Wiltshire is £320k and for first time buyers £253k, comfortably unaffordable for people in low paid employment. Whatever key stakeholders think an 81% increase in housebuilding is going to be difficult to achieve and sustain without efficient building programmes. At Trogon we believe that good broadband connectivity is crucial for efficiency in construction and immediate connectivity solutions from companies like Trogon will be essential for success. https://lnkd.in/erH82dQG #housebuildersfederation #connectivity

🏘️ Let’s Unpack the Impact of Planning Changes on City Housing 🏘️ The planning system changes recently announced by the government will have a major impact on how affordable and social housing is delivered in UK cities. Let’s breaks down some of the key implications: 🏙️ Housing delivery in cities is set to fall as the 35% "urban uplift" - which boosted values of development sites in urban areas - has been abolished. This means less incentive for developers to build in cities. 🎯 Cities now face lower overall housing targets but higher affordable housing requirements of 40-50%. This will be challenging for schemes to remain viable. 🏠 Shared ownership changes aim to help more people buy but may reduce supply if fewer developers offer this tenure type. 🏘️ More emphasis is now placed on providing genuinely affordable homes rather than "intermediate" ones. This could see more social rent homes built. 🏛️ Local authorities now have more freedom to determine what "affordable" means for their area. But they still face pressure to increase housing numbers. Overall, while the intention of boosting affordable housing supply is laudable, removing incentives like urban uplift risks reducing total housing delivery - particularly in cities. 🤝 Collaboration between the public and private sectors will be key to maximising affordable housing within new schemes. #HousingStrategy #AffordableCities #AffordableLiving #UrbanHousing #CityPlanning