Buying a house takes more than hard work and willpower – contrary to government belief

Housing is turning the UK into a land of opportunities for overseas investors but failing its own citizens, writes Alice Belotti. Here, she explains why the recent Housing and Planning Act 2016 is not effectively tackling the three main causes of the housing crisis: insufficient supply; incredibly high rents; and affordability for those on lower incomes

Tenant Futures programme 2014-15: external evaluation of the National Communities Resource Centre’s tenant training programme for the financial year 2014-15

The National Communities Resource Centre (NCRC) at Trafford Hall commissioned LSE Housing and Communities to carry out an external evaluation of the Tenant Futures programme for the financial year April 2014 to March 2015. Between May and July 2015, LSE carried out secondary analysis of administrative data and evaluation material provided by Trafford Hall, five in-depth interviews with key informants, and semi-structured interviews with 57 participants. The aim was to uncover the personal, as well as the wider group and community benefits, of the Tenant Futures programme, and to identify what works and what does not work in its implementation

Community enterprise: creating sustainable communities. Report from a community enterprise Think Tank

This report is based on findings from the Community Enterprise: Creating Sustainable Communities Think Tank, which was held at Trafford Hall on 22nd-23rd June 2016. The Think Tank was attended by 40 delegates from across the country, and was an opportunity for tenant activists, community volunteers and community workers to share ideas and experiences on community enterprise

Tenant Futures Grant Programme 2014-15: external evaluation of the National Communities Resource Centre’s Tenant Futures Grant Programme for the financial year 2014-2015

The National Communities Resource Centre (NCRC) at Trafford Hall has commissioned the London School of Economics to carry out an external evaluation of the Tenant Futures Grant Programme for the financial year April 2014 to March 2015. Between May and July 2015, LSE carried out secondary analysis of administrative data provided by Trafford Hall, in-depth interviews with key informants, and semi-structured interviews with 11 grant recipients. The aim was to uncover the personal, as well as the wider group and community benefits, of the Tenant Futures Grant Programme, and to identify what works and what does not work in its implementation

Estate regeneration and community impacts: challenges and lessons for social landlords, developers and local councils

Large scale demolition of council estates with residents in situ is a lengthy, complex and often controversial process. This report draws on evidence from two case studies to show the unintended negative consequences of large-scale demolition of council estates for tenants, leaseholders and local businesses. A third case study is introduced to weigh the costs and benefits of wholesale demolition against refurbishmen

Retrofit to the Rescue: environmental upgrading of multi-storey estates

'Retrofit to the Rescue' looks at the ambitious refurbishment of Wilmcote House in Portsmouth for a new study on the social impact of retrofit works. In 2010 LSE Housing and Communities were asked to conduct interviews with 50 tenants on the Edward Woods Estate, to assess the community and social impact of retrofitting three high rise towers (23 storeys) in Hammersmith and Fulham. The resulting report - High Rise Hope - found that residents liked their community and area, expressed support for it to be saved and were happy to stay put during the works. In spite of many delays and hiccups, the final outcomes were generally extremely positive

Private renting: can social landlords help?

Private renting is a massively expanding sector, and has now overtaken social housing to become the second largest housing tenure in Britain after owner-occupation. Private renting plays a crucial role in housing many groups who can neither afford to buy, and are unable to access social housing. Vulnerable and homeless people are more and more housed in privately rented accommodation. However, the private rented sector is weakly regulated and offers little security to tenants. This report explores how social landlords are increasingly contributing to the growth of private renting in a variety of different ways. Social landlords have experience in managing rented housing and a strong track record in providing long-term, secure, decent homes. They have an ethical purpose and a core mission to house people. Their involvement in the private rented sector provides an opportunity to make the PRS more stable, secure, and affordable. As well-established landlords and housing managers, social landlords can provide decent quality and secure homes to the people who need them within the private sector. As institutional investors, private renting at sub-market or intermediate rent becomes possible and social landlords should not seek to maximise profits as their main purpose. We also look at how local authorities can improve the private rented sector, looking at case studies of Newham, Liverpool, and other areas that have established local housing companies, have increased their regulatory role with licensing schemes and enforcement powers, as well as how the private rented sector differs in the devolved nations. The overall conclusion of our report is that private renting by social landlords can deliver good housing for households in need of a home. This activity provides decent private rental homes; and surpluses to cross-subsidise social housing. We believe that through the development of private rented accommodation and the regulation and licensing of the private rented sector, social landlords and local authorities are able to provide a more social model of private renting