1. www.cohousing.org.ukwww.cohousing.org.uk UKCohousing Jo@cohousing.org.uk Jo@cohousing.org.uk ‘An idea whose time has come’ The National Cohousing Conference 2015 Policy Overview: Housing

2. Navigating the housing policy terrain… Pro-Growth- Housing Bill Devolution Deals Policy developments on the horizon relevant to cohousing.

3. The Housing Bill Duty placed on local authorities to promote starter homes (scrapping requirement to build/fund affordable/rental homes often levered through Section 106- currently 37%) Requirement on local authorities to keep a register of demand for self build, and to have regard for supporting self build Extension of Right to Buy to housing associations – voluntary agreement subject to regulatory oversight Automatic planning permission on Brownfield land Levy on local authorities who are required to sell high value properties that become vacant Pay to Stay for higher income tenants of housing associations introduced Local authorities must have local plans in place by 2017 or be subject to ‘intervention’

4. Devolution New regional development plans Regional devolved investment & housing funding Delegated planning powers Imperative potential contribution of DIY citizen housing is identified with strategic support by emerging combined authorities/LEP’s. Reducing capacity of HCA (caveat regional variation could be an outcome)

5. Other housing policy areas to be aware of : Empty homes funding – currently rolled into Affordable Homes Grant. New pot? Expansion of permitted use development rights. Comprehensive Spending Review 25 th November - £20 billion new savings to be announced. Specific programmes & policy to develop innovative housing solutions to meet needs of elderly. Capital loan programmes to support home ownership/starter homes. Increasing numbers of housing associations developing shared home ownership.