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General election 2019: housing sector reacts to Conservative majority
The housing sector has reacted to the Conservative Party winning last night’s general election, calling on the government to bring housing to the top of its agenda.
Gavin Smart, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: "We know that for far too many people in our country housing isn’t working and at CIH we know what needs to be done to change this. We are ready to work with the new government to put in the place the measures needed to create a future in which everyone has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home."
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said housing associations would be looking to the new government to quickly deliver on its manifesto commitment to renew the Affordable Homes Programme.
"Our members urgently need certainty about future funding to continue building thousands of affordable homes, including homes for social rent.
“The housing crisis has not gone away and we will be redoubling our efforts to build new homes, end homelessness and ensure everyone has the support they need to live with security and the dignity they deserve," she said.
Housing associations themselves also called on the government to work with the sector.
David Montague, chief executive of L&Q, said: "Many communities have voted Conservative for the first time, and the government must take an inclusive approach to housing by delivering quality homes and thriving neighbourhoods for everyone. This means there has to be substantial support for social housing, as well as home ownership.
"L&Q stands ready to work in partnership with the government to deliver a new generation of high quality homes the length and breadth of the UK."
Nicholas Harris, chief executive of 32,500-home landlord Stonewater, said he hoped a more certain political landscape would mean housing will rise to the top of the domestic agenda.
“Many manifesto promises were made towards tackling the nation’s affordable housing crisis and delivering the number of homes this country so desperately needs. It will take vision, partnership and real commitment across government, local authorities and our sector to tackle the challenge,” he said.
“In a wider sense, we also hope to see an end to the division and uncertainty that has dominated recent times. I’m sure that businesses and communities alike will all benefit from renewed clarity, co-operation and unity.”
Bjorn Howard, chief executive of Aster Group, agreed: “The sector will be glad that the election result removes at least some of the prevailing uncertainty currently enveloping the country, even if Brexit is set to dominate 2020," he said.
“It was encouraging to see the major parties recognise the pressing need for more social and affordable housing during the election campaign. We continue to believe that we as housing associations are the perfect partners to government – both national and local – in increasing supply across Britain.”
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Mark Perry, chief executive of Vivid, which owns and manages 30,000 homes across Hampshire, said: “Everyone needs a safe and secure place to call home. We urge the government to commit deeply by bringing even more much-needed investment to build more affordable homes.
“Following this result, we’ll continue to form new and strengthen existing relationships with national and local government organisations to provide more homes and improved services and support to people in the south.”
Stuart Ropke, chief executive at Community Housing Cymru, said: “With Boris Johnson now confirmed as prime minister, we are calling on the UK government to place tackling poverty and reducing inequality at the heart of their programme for government.
“Further improvements to Universal Credit are vital to ensure that people receive the support they need, when they need it, and prevent homelessness.”
Alan Jones, president of RIBA, said: "The new government must bring the country together by turning promises into action. We need critical investment to solve the housing crisis through high-quality planning and homes, initiatives to tackle climate change and complete reform of our fire and building safety regulations to keep people safe.”
Some people suggested the result could bring more certainty to the market.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said the result “must draw a line under years of crippling uncertainty that has been so toxic for UK construction”.
Brian Berry, chief executive, said: “The new Conservative government has a golden opportunity to sort out Brexit and set out its new vision for the UK. Building the homes and infrastructure that this country needs has to be a key priority to help drive the economy forward.”
Hew Edgar, head of UK government relations and city strategy at RICS, said: "For too long, domestic issues have been side-lined by the Brexit debate, and this has negatively impacted investment and growth in land, property and construction.
It is imperative that key issues, such as housing supply, high street and town centre renewal and climate change are a top priority for this government."
Meanwhile, a number of people expressed their feelings on Twitter following the result.
Paul Hackett, chief executive of Optivo and a former chair of the G15 group of London housing associations, wrote: “Congratulations to @BorisJohnson for last nights landslide victory. #G15 and HA sector stand ready to work with the government to fix the #HousingCrisis and invest in homes, communities and skills as the UK prepares for a future outside the EU.”
Congratulation to @BorisJohnson for last nights landslide victory. #G15 and HA sector stand ready to work with the government to fix the #HousingCrisis and invest in homes, communities and skills as the UK prepares for a future outside the EU. #ukhousing t.co/DgdfNhirie
— Paul Hackett (@PaulHackett10)Congratulation to @BorisJohnson for last nights landslide victory. #G15 and HA sector stand ready to work with the government to fix the #HousingCrisis and invest in homes, communities and skills as the UK prepares for a future outside the EU. #ukhousing https://t.co/DgdfNhirie
— Paul Hackett (@PaulHackett10) December 13, 2019
Jamie Ratcliff, executive director of business performance and partnerships at Network Homes, said: “In my opinion #GE2019 result was as good as it could be. 1. From Jan will finally be some bandwidth for domestic policy (including #fixthehousingcrisis?). 2. Due to size of majority the PM can sideline extremists in his party. 3. The grown-ups can take back control of Labour.”
In my opinion #GE2019 result was as good as it could be.
— Jamie Ratcliff (@Jamrat_)
1 From Jan will finally be some bandwidth for domestic policy (including #fixthehousingcrisis?).
2 Due to size of majority the PM can sideline extremists in his party.
3 The grown-ups can take back control of Labour.In my opinion #GE2019 result was as good as it could be.
— Jamie Ratcliff (@Jamrat_) December 13, 2019
1 From Jan will finally be some bandwidth for domestic policy (including #fixthehousingcrisis?).
2 Due to size of majority the PM can sideline extremists in his party.
3 The grown-ups can take back control of Labour.
Former CIH president James Strang was less positive about the future for housing associations.
If the exit poll is correct then I weep for our UK and every Housing professional in the land will have to rise the challenge yet again to do all we can to protect and save our communities that’s what housing people do
— James Strang (@strangparkhead)If the exit poll is correct then I weep for our UK and every Housing professional in the land will have to rise the challenge yet again to do all we can to protect and save our communities that’s what housing people do
— James Strang (@strangparkhead) December 12, 2019
And Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, called on the sector to continue to work to end homelessness.
Let’s start talking again tomorrow about ending homelessness. Build 90000 #socialhomes per year, make housing benefit #coverthecost of housing, fund homelessness prevention services properly and give renters more security. Homelessness affects all of us. #EndHomelessness
— Jon Sparkes (@jon_sparkes)Let's start talking again tomorrow about ending homelessness. Build 90000 #socialhomes per year, make housing benefit #coverthecost of housing, fund homelessness prevention services properly and give renters more security. Homelessness affects all of us. #EndHomelessness
— Jon Sparkes (@jon_sparkes) December 12, 2019
Inside Housing will update this story as we hear more reaction
