As the number of people renting in the UK continues to rise, the BBC has taken a closer look at the state of private renting. Read the full story here.
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A recent report by the communities and local government committee on homelessness pointed out that the “housing first” model “appears to have had a positive impact in Finland”. Finland is the only European country where homelessness has decreased in recent years. From 2008 to 2014 the number of people who were long-term homeless decreased by approximately 18%, and homelessness continues to decrease.
The housing first model is based upon people who are homeless being given housing first rather than progressing them through temporary accommodation. The idea is that people who are homeless need a home and the issues that may cause them to be at risk of homelessness are addressed when they are in stable accommodation.
Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/clip/645f92d8-25fc-4c55-8cfb-0fb8dcfe19c2
Foreign property buyers will face an extra tax with the money raised being spent on tackling rough sleeping, Prime Minister Theresa May has said. Mrs May said evidence showed that foreign buyers who do not pay tax in the UK push up house prices and lower home ownership in the UK.
Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45698446
The PM will announce £2bn to build new homes in England, in an attempt to remove the ‘stigma’ of social housing.
Under the plan, housing association, councils and other organisations will be able to bid for money to spend on new projects, starting from 2022.
Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45569453
If you are a housing association, council, other organisation or a social housing tenant looking for advice or looking to be kept up to date speak to us about our newsletters, or keep reading our blogs, follow us on Facebook, or attend one of our training events. Speak to Kirsty for further information.
An unmarried mother has won a landmark court case over which could allow her to claim a Widowed Parent's Allowance.
The allowance can only be claimed by a surviving partner if that partner was either married to, or in a civil partnership with the deceased.
This case questioned whether that restriction unjustifiably discriminates against the surviving partner and/or their children, and breaches their human rights. The Supreme Court has decided that it does, and that has significant implications.
Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-45355028
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