May calls for more social housing and improved design for new homes

Prime minister Theresa May is set to urge the sector to deliver an increased number of social homes in a speech later today.

May (pictured), who is set to make a surprise appearance at the Chartered Institute of Housing conference this afternoon, will also call for new design standards to ensure high-quality homes and further tenant rights.

She is also expected to set out next steps on the Social Housing Green Paper agenda, with an action plan expected in September. 

Her call to action comes as figures indicate that, by autumn, 1 million homes will have been added in under five years. 

In Manchester, the number of extra homes being created is up 12%, in Nottingham by 43%, and in Birmingham by 80%. The number of affordable housing starts has also increased to nearly 54,000 this year.

May is expectected to reiterate that the quality of housing must not be compromised by the drive to build more homes.

She will call for new regulations to mandate developers to build higher-quality housing, as while some local authorities make Nationally Described Space Standards a condition of granting planning permission, many do not.

Mandatory regulations would be universal, and provide a clear, national standards - potentially leading to increased housebuilding.

May is expected to say: “I cannot defend a system in which owners and tenants are forced to accept tiny homes with inadequate storage. Where developers feel the need to fill show homes with deceptively small furniture.

“And where the lack of universal standards encourages a race to the bottom.”

May is also set to confirm plans to end so-called “no-fault” evictions, with a consultation to be published shortly.

Responding to the announcement the LGA’s housing spokesman, councillor Martin Tett, said: “There is a critical need for renewed national leadership on standards for new homes, which give certainty to councils, developers and communities.

“These standards should future-proof all new homes ensuring they are accessible for all ages and all markets, meet the housing needs of our ageing population and are environmentally sustainable.”