Morning Briefing: the state of social housing

In the news

The Grenfell Tower fire has prompted a backlash against the state of the housing market in this country from major news outlets.

Last night Channel 4 News questioned whether the welfare state has drifted from its original purpose under Labour’s Nye Bevan – to provide a council house for everyone.

The news programme is running a week-long special examining the state of housing in Britain and last night social housing was the focus, with a debate between Grenfell residents, politicians and academics.

Conservative politician Tony Dervish said the government has given London £3bn to get on and build more homes, but academic Anna Minton said even “affordable” homes are built at 80% of market levels.

When a local Labour councillor said the private rented sector needs to be regulated, Mr Dervish replied: “More regulation equals less jobs and less homes.”

Elsewhere, the BBC reports that housing associations need to be more transparent about how they are spending their money, according to Welsh Assembly members.

They found some associations are investing outside of social housing, including in student and nursing accommodation, retail and commercial opportunities, and independent maintenance services.

And the Evening Standard reports that the mayor of London is seeking greater powers to renegotiate planning decisions when developers dramatically cut the number of affordable homes planned.

On social media

The Guardian ran a piece yesterday on the rich owners of empty homes in Kensington and Chelsea, which had Twitter abuzz all evening.

1,652 empty homes in Kensington & Chelsea 37% unoccupied for two years or more Use for #GrenfellTower survivors! t.co/N6TSZ3zPq3

— Paul Kershaw (@1917paul)

1,652 empty homes in Kensington & Chelsea 37% unoccupied for two years or more Use for #GrenfellTower survivors! https://t.co/N6TSZ3zPq3

— Paul Kershaw (@1917paul) August 1, 2017

There are 1,652 empty homes in Kensington and Chelsea, including 64 in the ward Grenfell Tower is in.

— Aisha S Gani (@aishagani)

There are 1,652 empty homes in Kensington and Chelsea, including 64 in the ward Grenfell Tower is in.

— Aisha S Gani (@aishagani) August 1, 2017

While the number of empty homes fell across the country, in Kensington and Chelsea they rose t.co/baLzOK8KAM

— David Pegg (@davidtpegg)

While the number of empty homes fell across the country, in Kensington and Chelsea they rose https://t.co/baLzOK8KAM

— David Pegg (@davidtpegg) August 1, 2017