Budget 2020 - CIH reaction

We are pleased that the Chancellor agrees with us that to deal with the crisis housing needs long-term attention and investment from government. A £12.2 billion multi-year extension to the affordable homes programme will give some certainty - we hope this will include significant funding for homes at social rents so that we build the truly affordable homes we so badly need.

Gavin Smart  |  CIH chief executive

While an additional £1 billion to remove all types of dangerous cladding from buildings over 18m in height is welcome and recognises the urgent need to address building safety following the Grenfell tragedy, the scale of investment required is likely to run to at least ten times that amount. It is also important that we ensure that affected buildings below that height and leaseholders also receive the funding needed to make those homes safe. The commitment of £643m funding to provide 6000 homes for rough-sleepers is a positive step. To support this commitment the gap between local housing allowance rates and the lowest 30 per cent of private rented homes locally needs to be closed, if we are to successfully end homelessness once and for all. With a comprehensive spending review still to come, we will continue to urge government to invest in the social rented homes we need so badly and to ensure that people on low incomes have the help with housing costs they need.