Toby Fox’s Post

Today we’re talking about the local politics of delivering new homes, with Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing) leader, councillor Peter Mason. Describing the challenges facing London in the 1940s (air quality, long commutes, and tall buildings rising on the skyline of an increasingly crowded city) He says: "They were dealing with some of the same challenges we have now. The answer for them was new towns.” Along with housebuilding in the context of regional planning, industrial strategy and creating a fairer national economy, we also talk about what communities want from growth, and Local Plans and estate ballots as mechanisms for getting it. "If we can give people the sense that their community is changing in a positive way, and that they're moving forward in their lives and their children are moving forward, we can unlock some of this ‘for and against’ mentality." Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gMZWAuPF Thanks to Red Loft and Bugler Developments for sponsoring this episode. And thanks to Ealing Council for taking part. The Housing Forum #1p5mnewhomes #ealing #councils #housingdelivery #ealingcouncil #government #politics

When folks come to me and ask why we at United Way haven’t “solved” poverty yet here is one aspect of that conversation that bears repeating and deserves exploration... Housing, policy, influx of investments, and so on. The issue is complex. Check out the series linked below for a bit more:

As planners, public policy professionals, elected officials and others continue to address the current housing crisis, we at CWA and CES are also working towards productive solutions. One way is by educating ourselves. It's for that reason that we'd like to share the following American Planning Association Podcast that covers an important interview with the CEO of the National League of Cities, Clarence Anthony surrounding Housing as a whole. The discussion includes "the importance of elected officials, home builders, real estate professionals, bankers, and community planners coming together to address the housing supply crisis; how partnerships can address housing supply barriers; and much more." Follow this link to learn more and listen to the conversation: https://lnkd.in/dhsRuECh #planning #local #national #housing #supply #barriers #builders #public #community #partnership #officials

Today we’re talking about the local politics of delivering new homes, with Cambridge City Council Executive Councillor for Housing Gerri Bird. In particular, she describes the impact of disruption and change on tenants, and how the Council eases that process for them – and her insights as a council tenant herself. While the Council is anticipating celebrations for completing its thousandth home, the temporary accommodation burden remains “terrible”. “I want to build, build, build. If the Government would give me more money, I would build as much as I could.” Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/er-h3VQh Thanks to Red Loft and Hill Group UK for sponsoring this episode. And thanks to Cambridge City Council for taking part. The Housing Forum #1p5mnewhomes #cambridgecouncil #councils #housingdelivery #newhomes

The Seattle City Council has taken a major step to address the city's housing shortage by passing legislation that allows commercial buildings to be converted into residences. This new law aims to repurpose underutilized office spaces, which have seen a rise in vacancies due to the increase in hybrid and remote work, and turn them into much-needed housing. Key Highlights: https://lnkd.in/gxavbrhQ This builds on recent efforts, including a $970 million housing levy passed by Seattle voters, which will help develop affordable housing and combat homelessness over the next seven years. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell stated, “My administration will continue to look for levers to support more affordable housing and greater housing production in the city.” #SeattleHousing #UrbanDevelopment #PublicPrivatePartnerships #GovernmentContracting #AffordableHousing #RealEstateInnovation

Responding to reports of recent comments by Deputy Mayor of London Jules Pipe (https://lnkd.in/ehy8BcxM) on the impossibility of delivering 1.5m new homes, or London’s contribution of 80,000 a year, Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing) strategic director of economy and sustainability Peter George has requested clarification. Assuming the reliability of the reports, he said: “For the politician responsible for leading on the London Plan, if that person doesn't believe the 80,000 target is deliverable, to some that may call into question the integrity of the London Plan before the process has really got underway.” Peter was interviewed by 1.5M New Homes: The Local Government Challenge, to set the scene for a series of visits to housing development sites in Ealing, to understand the ingredients for successful delivery and what needs to change to build even more homes in the borough. Watch the full interview with Peter here https://lnkd.in/e8y5SNdm Stay tuned for the next episode, examining the success of the 3,500-home Acton Gardens scheme with Countryside Partnerships and L&Q, and the council’s role in delivering that. Thanks to Red Loft and Bugler Developments for sponsoring this episode. The Housing Forum #1p5mnewhomes #ealing #ealingcouncil #housingdelivery #councils

🏠 Question 1 read by Zoe: "What specific plans do you have to address affordable housing issues in Guildford and ensure that residents have access to suitable and affordable accommodation?" #GuildfordElection2024 #AffordableHousing #CommunityEngagement Feel free to use this enhanced post to encourage community engagement and participation in discussing affordable housing issues in Guildford. 📢 **Important Message** We regret that due to space constraints, we couldn't include all six candidates in the cab discussions. However, we invite John Hugh Morris from The Peace Party and Dennis Saunders from Reform UK to share their answers in the comments section. Your input is valuable in shaping our community's future. Let's hear from all candidates to make informed decisions together! #GuildfordElection2024 #CommunityEngagement

MAS supports #CityOfYes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) to create much-needed housing through incremental citywide zoning changes. These are the most significant zoning changes in over 50 years, diversifying the city’s housing stock and opening doors for transit-oriented development, housing in town centers, and innovative shared living spaces.   MAS recognizes that as profoundly unaffordable as New York has become, zoning reforms alone will not solve our housing crisis nor will COYHO guarantee housing affordability. We must complement COYHO with comprehensive planning, incentives, state and city funding, and programs that can put the city in the best position to grow and meet the needs of New Yorkers, particularly those most heavily burdened by escalating rents and other housing costs.   Read MAS’s full testimony of recommendations for strengthening “City of Yes” here: https://lnkd.in/gEKjWhCw   #cityofyes #housing #cityplanning #NYC #newyorkcity #advocacy

Here’s an interesting article on an idea for affordable housing utilizing vacant downtown buildings. https://lnkd.in/gfdGH5k5