Let’s build more family homes
England is building more homes than any year but one since the 1960s. But the kinds of homes being built in some places just aren’t fit for families. In some parts of the country – from Leicester to Bournemouth to Watford – over 60% of new homes in recent years have been one-bed homes. This has made it ever harder for families to live in towns and cities right across the country.
Let’s reward communities that build family homes
We support the New Homes Bonus, by which councils receive £1bn from the Government this year to reward them for building new homes. But councils receive less if they have a large number of existing family homes! This reduces the incentive for homes to be built in family-friendly areas, and incentivises conversion of family homes into smaller properties.
Let’s give communities the right to request more family homes
We welcome the Government rejecting the draft London Plan, which tried to stop London boroughs requiring a certain proportion of new homes being family homes. The right of communities to require family homes is essential, and that right should be written into law: not dependent on the Government intervening or not.
Let’s let communities that build family homes keep all their powers
Under the Housing Delivery Test, Councils that build less than 75% of their housing target lose their ability to say no to future developments. However, this housing target doesn’t factor in whether homes are large family homes or small flats. This artificially encourages councils to build smaller properties, so they meet the Housing Delivery Test.
Three simple reforms to end the bias against family homes
Give family homes the full weight they deserve
Reform the Housing Delivery Test so councils don’t have powers taken off them and ordered to build more homes if they build family homes instead of smaller properties.
End the Family Home Penalty
Remove the penalty on councils with many family homes and the artificial incentive to subdivide smaller properties through reform of the New Homes Bonus
Allow councils to request more family homes
Guarantee every local authority the power to write a local plan that puts higher emphasis on family homes than smaller properties, and block any future London Plan that tries to stop them.
Honest Reviews
[Quote one]
– Someone smart
[Quote two]
– Someone sensible