Angela Rayner proposes greater public control of housing in England

Angela Rayner, speaking at the Labour conference, outlined plans to increase public control over housing in England, including new obligations for housing associations to house homeless families and enhanced powers for local councils to acquire social homes. These measures are intended to address the rising numbers of homeless individuals and families, with charities like Crisis and Shelter welcoming the initiative but emphasizing the need for increased construction of new social housing.

Under the proposed changes, housing associations will not be able to refuse housing homeless families without a valid reason. Local authorities will be granted a 60-day window to bid for social homes when they become available on the market. Additionally, public services will be mandated to refer individuals facing homelessness to housing support. Rayner also indicated a push for greater allocation of housing funds to councils for the construction of new homes, suggesting that most councils have not built council housing in a significant period and need support to re-establish this capacity.

Homelessness charities have responded positively to the announcement. Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, called the development 'hugely significant' and a potential 'gamechanger' in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns at Shelter, acknowledged the measures as a 'step in the right direction' but stressed that increasing the supply of new social homes is crucial, stating a need for 90,000 social rent homes annually over the next decade to effectively end homelessness. Similar referral duties are already in place in Scotland and Wales, though both regions continue to face challenges with temporary accommodation.