Southwark to convert empty spaces into homes

South London’s Southwark council is looking to identify disused spaces on its estates which it can use to increase the amount of housing stock in the borough. The Hidden Homes scheme has been tasked with finding empty garages, laundrettes and disused offices which can be renovated.

Ministers halve guideline rent increase

Council tenants are to benefit from a lower than expected rent increase after Ministers changed the guidance issued to local authorities in light of falling inflation levels. Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced that the average guideline increase of 6.2 per cent is to be reduced to 3.1 per cent.

TSA calls for ‘more focus on tenants’

The Chief Executive of the Tenant Services Authority, the new regulator for affordable housing, has called on social housing landlords to “focus more” on their tenants and better involve them in decisions about the services they use.

Sustainable communities to be ‘top priority’

Building sustainable communities is to be a key priority for the two new public bodies responsible for championing rights and delivering affordable housing across England.

Capital has 80,000 empty homes

Figures released last week show the capital has more than 80,000 homes lying empty. The figures, released by the Empty Homes Agency, show the number increased from 80,691 to 82,327 between 2007 and 2008 despite falling the previous year.

Hit squad targets illegal council home occupants

Council bosses in Barking and Dagenham are claiming a successful first year for a ‘hit squad’ tasked with identifying illegal occupants of council homes. The team of experienced housing and audit officers has identified 54 homes that had been illegally sub-let and has also stopped a fraudulent Right to Buy application.

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