The spending review - our take

Focus E-15 occupation of the Carpenter’s Estate in 2015. It is still empty in 2025.

Last week the Chancellor announced £39 billion for 'affordable and social housing' over the next decade. Responses to this news have been mixed. The homelessness sector and housing sector have largely applauded it with Shelter calling the announcement 'a watershed moment.' Housing campaigners such as London Renter's Union have been less positive, calling it ‘another handout for the rich’ on the basis that much of the funding may go to private developers.

At Museum of Homelessness, we are pleased at the general mood, but we have a few concerns, of course.

Firstly, like London Renters Union, we are concerned with whether these funds will get to where they are needed. Put simply, if they go to developers to build new ‘affordable’ housing then the housing crisis will not be alleviated.

These funds must be targeted to providing council housing at social rent in order to undo the damage of Right to Buy.

In addition, any housing strategy must prioritise in the first instance (by which we mean yesterday) making use of empty properties and council voids. Bringing existing stock back into circulation is much better value for money- and much quicker - than building new homes. Action on Empty Homes tells us there are enough long term empties to house everyone who is homeless overnight.

We should also remember that ‘affordable’ is not affordable to most, at 80% of the market rate. Only genuine social rent will fix this mess. This is another reason to de-prioritise developers, for whom genuine social rent cannot make a return.

Finally, cross party agreement needs to be reached on this, otherwise in three years time if there is a change of government we may be back to the drawing board.

TLDR? We need quick, good value solutions within this parliament. We must prioritise revamping existing stock over building new homes and local authorities should get public subsidy, not private developers.