Autumn budget 2024: a statement from NHF Chief Executive

In response to the Autumn Budget 2024, Kate Henderson Chief Executive at the National Housing Federations, says:

"Today's budget demonstrates the government's commitment to social housing, recognising it alongside the NHS and schools, as part of the vital infrastructure of our country.

With the delivery of new social homes at risk due to funding constraints, a £500m top-up to the affordable homes programme is hugely welcome and something we’ve been urgently calling for to prevent a collapse in delivery. We also support the government’s decision to review Right to Buy discounts; with record levels of overcrowding and child homelessness, it is vital we protect our existing social homes. 

We are pleased to see some progress on funding for building safety work in social housing. However, additional long-term funding is key to ensure money is not diverted from existing residents and new social housing. We also look forward to working with the government on a new rent settlement consultation; with our sector facing financial pressures due to decades of cuts, this will provide long-term certainty for social housing providers and transparency for residents.  

The £3.4bn kickstart for the Warm Homes Plan is a welcome first step towards the government's manifesto commitment of £13.2bn, helping to tackle fuel poverty and the climate emergency.

While there is much for social housing providers to welcome in today’s Budget, it is disappointing not to see funding for supported housing, which is currently in crisis with 1 in 3 providers forced to close schemes in the last year. 

With the housing crisis affecting people in every part of the country, we support the government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes, but we can only achieve this with the right support. We look forward to a new long term housing strategy announced at the next spending review, including a significant boost in funding for social housing.”