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NHF backs calls to allow associations to buy empty homes for families in need during coronavirus crisis
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has added its voice to calls for housing associations to be given powers to buy empty properties to house families attempting to avoid coronavirus in overcrowded housing.
The NHF, which represents nearly 800 housing associations in England, said it “fully supports” measures to increase homes for social rent, for example through a ‘housing market package’.
Housing market packages were agreed by the government in 1992 and 2008. In both cases, grant was given to associations to buy housing stock from private house builders to support the sector during the periods of downturn in the market.
Labour MPs Meg Hillier and Karen Buck wrote to ministers last week urging them to create a housing market package that allows registered social landlords to buy homes from house builders to be used for social rent.
In the letter sent to education secretary Gavin Williamson, housing secretary Robert Jenrick and chancellor Rishi Sunak, the MPs said that the recent closure of schools had exacerbated problems for families in severely overcrowded accommodation as they try to self-isolate.
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Allow housing associations to buy empty homes to help families self-isolate during pandemic, say MPs
The MPs said they had contacted the Local Government Association (LGA) and the NHF, the latter of which now says it would support such measures.
Will Jeffwitz, head of policy at the NHF, said: “Housing associations fully support measures to increase the number of social rented homes.
“This is more important than ever at a time when overcrowded and homeless families are being asked to stay at home for months on end, in poor and cramped conditions with little privacy, having a detrimental effect on their health and well-being.
“We would be happy to work with government to convert market homes to social rent.”
When a housing market package was introduced in 1992 it resulted in 18,000 properties being purchased through the initiative.
The MPs said: “We believe that previous housing interventions by government could be repeated to tackle the issue of overcrowding and homelessness during this public health crisis.”
The LGA has also been contacted for a response.
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