Stop First Homes Proposals

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Conference
2020 Community Conference and Seminar
Date
20 February 2020
Decision
Carried

Conference notes the government consultation which opened on the 7th February 2020 over the new First Homes housing policy. This proposal seeks to divert section 106 funds away from the provision of affordable homes and instead use it to offer discounts on new properties for purchase in England.

Conference notes that opposition to these proposals and its effects on building affordable rental homes has already been expressed by a wide cross-section of organisations including the Chartered Institute for Housing, National Housing Federation, Shelter and the Local Government Association.

Conference is concerned that the impact of these proposals would be to reduce the numbers of affordable rental properties. Furthermore, these proposals would hand over decision-making powers on the development of affordable home to large house-building corporations, while restricting the ability of Local Authorities to use their planning policies to insist on genuinely affordable and social rented homes. We also believe that there are deep flaws in the implementation and legal enforcement of these proposals that could be exploited by large house-building corporations.

Conference believes that the �First Homes� policy will damage Housing Associations and further endanger jobs, pay and conditions within the whole Housing Association sector. Section 106 monies, though far from the ideal arrangement, are currently the predominant way to fund new affordable housing since the government slashed grants for social housing in 2010. This policy will see this money going to house-builders and not to providers of affordable housing such as Housing Associations and Local Authorities.

Conference therefore calls on the Service Group Executive to:

� Add our voice to the wide range of those opposing these plans as they currently stand and submit a consultation response before it closes on 3 April 2020. This response should highlight the threat posed to expansion of affordable housing provision by these proposals.

� Work with Labour Link to raise this issue with MP’s and Councillors to ensure their voices are also used to stop this damaging policy whether in the consultation or if a bill is presented to parliament.

� Continue our commitment to support real radical changes within this sector which would see funding for the construction of a new generation of social housing fit to meet the needs of the country; and promote UNISON�s Housing Manifesto: �Safe, decent and affordable homes for all�.