Thursday 4 July has been announced as the date of the next General Election. If the recent local elections on 2 May are a guide, then a change of Government at the next general election is looking like a possibility. 

Housing is always a topic debated and argued over but whatever the merits of either side of the debate, there just is not enough affordable housing for the growing number of homeless and poorly housed people of all ages. 

As reported last year, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green and Reform parties are all committing to building more houses. 

The big two parties battle out the promises but there are fewer affordable houses being added to the mix than the amount of people in housing need. The Conservative Party has put emphasis on increasing general house building with affordable housing being an element of that, (much of this they hope will come from the private sector) whilst the Labour Party is now focusing on social housing. Labour have shown a greater appetite for increased regulation for housing, over and above that proposed and implemented by the Conservative Government.  The LibDems are highlighting the need for more social housing. The Green Party wants more social housing but favours brownfield and refurbishment of existing buildings over building on greenfields. The Reform Party is concentrating on planning and legal reforms to remove perceived barriers and pressures on housing. 

The Association is calling on the next Government of any party to ease the pressure on affordable/social housing by: 

  • identifying genuine affordable housing based on affordability, not 80% of market rents
  • recognising almshouses in the National Planning Policy Framework as proper affordable housing and releasing section 106 funds 
  • allowing almshouses to access Homes England funding under an alternative form of accreditation based on charity law and adherence to the Association’s Standards of Almshouse Management. 

Why? Because almshouse charities:

  • provide homes that generate financial benefits to the social care and health economy of £1,340 per resident, per year. This equates to £43.2 m every year*
  • generate £56m per annum of value in employed staff and voluntary work*
  • add more value to the lives of residents and even extend the life of residents**
  • can develop in local rural areas at small scale
  • could have the capacity to build 1000s per year – if the state will just provide an even playing field.

The Association would encourage members to consider individually contacting their existing MPs and other general election candidates to promote the good work you do. If needed, you will find a MP Invitation Template letter in the Members section of the website.  

We also have a bespoke section on our website you may want to refer your local MPs, candidates and councillors to www.almshouses.org/mps-councillors/.

See also Campaigning and Political activity

*Housing LIN assessment of evidence of the financial benefits provided by almshouses Study 2021
** Bayes Business School Longevity Study

To find  

Suggested questions for MPs and candidates: 

  1. Would you support almshouses being recognised as proper affordable housing under the NPPF? 
  2. Would you support almshouses being recognised as “affordable housing” for the purposes of s.106 contributions, housebuilding targets for local councils and infrastructure levy?  
  3. Would you work to give almshouses equal access to Homes England Development funds and release the building of more affordable/social housing?

General Election/Housing Campaigns from other organisations

posted 23 May 2024