The White Paper provides a challenge to everyone to get their houses in order

Today’s Housing White Paper rightly recognises that fixing the broken housing market demands not a one-size-fits-all approach, but one which recognises the diverse requirements of modern households, the value of mixed tenure communities and the importance of innovation.

It is simply unacceptable that homeownership faces becoming an impossible dream for all but the highest earners in future generations.

Housing associations are stepping up to the challenge of delivering affordable new homes across tenures to meet the demands of a growing market, but the scale of the crisis demands quick, concerted and collaborative action.

“It is simply unacceptable that homeownership faces becoming an impossible dream.” 

We’re pleased to see the government reaffirming its commitment to sector deregulation. 

Genesis and others have long maintained that freeing housing associations who are primed and ready to invest in new homes from excessive regulation would boost housing supply as well as helping them to invest in their existing homes and services. 

The White Paper also highlights how important it will be for the sector to demonstrate value for money and continue in its efficiency drive against a political and economic backdrop that continues to be volatile.

Giving local authorities a mandate to get building again is a welcome idea in theory, drawing on their rich past experience in this area and seeing them as part of a mixed economy solution to solving the housing crisis. 

However, it remains to be seen how this plays out in practice, and cash-strapped councils need to be afforded the freedom and funding to keep up momentum in this area and make decisions based on local housing need.

Likewise, while the paper’s proposed reforms to the planning system are welcome, they may need to be even bolder to ensure that the housing that gets permission actually gets delivered.

On a more positive note, it is refreshing to see a shift towards promoting other tenure options beyond the traditional model of homeownership.

Along with other housing associations, Genesis has long ascribed to a ‘smarter’ and more open model of renting, which cuts out agency fees and hidden charges and offers residents the chance to put down roots properly with flexible and secure tenancies up to five years.

“The White Paper highlights how important it will be for the sector to demonstrate value for money.”

Together with others, we have written to Gavin Barwell to set out the sector’s stated aims for delivering a better future for renters and challenging the perception of this tenure as a short-term option chequered with constraints and unpredictability.

Finally, the commitment to agreeing a rent policy with the sector post-2020 will be broadly welcomed. 

Stepping up delivery while adjusting to new financial constraints is no mean feat, and I am sure many housing associations will want to feed in their views to ensure that the policy is as fair as possible for all concerned while keeping the needs of residents at its centre.

Housing associations have been waiting with bated breath for this paper, and it is heartening to see the government has noted what the sector has delivered to date, the scale of ambition to go even further, and the support required to make that happen. 

The White Paper will not fix the housing market overnight, but it at least provides a blueprint for change, and a challenge to all to get their houses in order and keep up momentum in the uncertain times ahead

Neil Hadden, chief executive, Genesis