answer text |
<p>In our Housing White Paper, the Government set out proposals to do more to provide
the homes we need for all in our society, including older people. We are strengthening
the National Planning Policy Framework, so that local planning authorities are expected
to have clear policies for addressing the housing needs of older people. Planning
authorities should also include a plan policy setting out their approach to promoting
Build to Rent. We will be publishing further guidance on housing for older people
this summer. We have also been clear that housing will form a part of our considerations
as we set out proposals in our forthcoming Green Paper to reform care and support
for older people which will be published in summer 2018.</p><p>Since 2012, this Government
has supported growth of the Build to Rent sector with a Build to Rent Fund (£630m)
and debt guarantees to increase delivery. Over 20,000 homes have been completed since
2012 and a further 97,000 are in the pipeline (British Property Federation, Quarter
1, 2018). We would also note that greater institutional investment in the Private
Rented Sector will improve standards, give tenants greater security and increase choice
for all tenants.</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that their provision
of social housing meets local need, including for older people. This Government is
providing a stable investment environment for councils to support the delivery of
new homes, by allowing local authorities to increase rents by up to CPI +1% for 5
years from 2020. This will give councils the security and certainty they need to plan
investment, and provide greater confidence about their future rental income to underpin
their future house building plans. Furthermore, we will raise the Housing Revenue
Account borrowing cap by a total of up to £1 billion in areas of high affordability
pressure, for local authorities who are ready to start building new homes. Local authorities
will be able to bid for increases in their caps between 2019-20 and 2021/22.</p><p>In
addition, since 2011, we have delivered almost 30,000 supported housing units for
disabled, vulnerable and older people. At Autumn Statement 2015, we announced £400
million for new specialist affordable homes for vulnerable, older or disabled people.</p><p>
</p>
|
|