The government has today published its social housing green paper, one of the aims of which is to empower residents to hold their landlords to account “when things go wrong”.
The paper comes after the Grenfell fire in September last year, and takes into account the views of over 8,000 social housing residents from across the UK.
The government boasts that the paper tackles five themes: tackling stigma, expanding supply and encouraging home ownership, the effective resolution of complaints, ensuring that homes are safe and decent, and the aforementioned empowerment of residents.
Some of the details being considered include allowing tenants to purchase as little as 1 per cent of their property each year through a government shared ownership programme, compiling landlord league tables, and boosting the power of the regulator so it can, “intervene when needed, ensuring social homes are well managed and of decent quality.”
Two consultations are being launched alongside the green paper. The first asks for the public to submit views on the green paper proposals by 6 November, and the second seeks views on proposals for “reforming the rules governing the use of Right to Buy receipts from the sale of council housing.” This consultation closes on 9 October.
Secretary of state for communities James Brokenshire says: “Providing quality and fair social housing is a priority for this government.
“Our green paper offers a landmark opportunity for major reform to improve fairness, quality and safety to residents living in social housing across the country.
“Regardless of whether you own your home or rent in the social sector, residents deserve security, dignity and the opportunities to build a better life.”
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, comments: “The terrible Grenfell tragedy has shone a light on social housing and forced the country to think about the choices we face.
“Today’s Green Paper is full of warm words, but doesn’t commit a single extra penny towards building the social homes needed by the 1.2m people on the waiting list.”
