Policy Hub
A report published by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) on 7 September 2009 argues that there is an urgent need for the UK’s social housing system to be radically overhauled in order to address the growing problem of overcrowding.
The report recommends a review of current legislation to bring about fundamental changes to local government finance and loosen constraints on councils, thereby enabling them to build more social housing and tackle the complex conditions that lead to overcrowding.
Commissioned by Westminster City Council, the report says councils should be given greater financial freedom and flexibility to secure finance from the private sector and direct it into social housing.
It also recommends giving councils the scope to create a mixed economy of tenure to widen the housing choices available to social tenants. This would involve offering alternative tenure options alongside traditional permanent tenancies and associated waiting list and allocations policies.