16 September 2005
Social landlords are being sold short by the government in their attempts to build sustainable communities, the new leader of England's housing associations warned this week.
David Orr used his first major speech since becoming chief executive of the National Housing Federation to attack ministers, accusing them of taking a short-term approach to housing policy.
Speaking at the federation's annual conference on September 14, Orr said Labour seemed more interested in 'rhetoric and eye-catching initiatives' – such as HomeBuy and competitions to build £60,000 homes – than in a wider neighbourhood agenda.
'So far I have seen little evidence of a coherent strategy to ensure successful neighbourhoods exist in 30 years' time. It's all about building as many houses as cheaply and as quickly as possible, rather than a long-term vision.'
Orr's speech demonstrates how relations between the government and registered social landlords have deteriorated over the past two years, mainly due to a decision to allow private developers to bid directly for social housing grant.
'Giving public money to private developers might provide extra houses in the short term, but where are the long-term commitments to resident participation, neighbourhood safety and community investment offered by housing associations?' he asked delegates in Birmingham.
Orr also called for the regulatory burden facing RSLs to be reduced so they have a greater incentive to offer services such as childcare and job training.
'We need to go beyond our traditional role of landlord and provide a range of services that will improve the quality of life for the whole community,' he said. 'That is our commitment. The government needs to adopt a similar approach.'
The conference, which ends on September 16, was due to hear from David Miliband, the communities and local government minister, and James Plaskitt, the minister responsible for housing benefit.
Meanwhile, an NHF survey published to coincide with the conference revealed that between 25% and 33% of proposed mergers between housing associations collapse.
While this showed that associations were considering their options carefully, significant costs may be incurred in the meantime, warned the study, carried out for the NHF by the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies at Birmingham University.
PFsep2005
