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3.1.c How Is The Problem Of Affordable Housing Addressed? Various Policy ...


3.1.c How is the Problem of Affordable Housing Addressed?
Various policy initiatives have been introduced to ameliorate the problem of affordable housing in London. These will be discussed in this section. These policies and whether they have a positive impact upon the community will also be evaluated in this section.
One such policy takes the form of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (which became operative in 1947 (Jackson, J., 1963; p.18 ), which seeks to address the problems which may arise in relation to affordable housing and the provision of local services (Monk, S. et al., 2005; p.24-27). Where a major developer wishes to obtain planning permission for a development in a given area, it is the case that such developments will put pressure on local services such as schools or hospitals this Act seeks to ensure that some of the cost of such developments are borne by the developers who wish to develop the area (Monk, S. et al., 2005; p.24-27). Section 106 of this statute therefore provides that agreements may be reached between local planning authorities and developers in relation to planning permission, where the developer is required to make financial contributions towards the local services in the areas where the planned developments are to be built (Monk, S. et al., 2005; p.24-27). However, this statute has been criticised, especially by Kate Barker (2006; p.11), as being in drastic need to reform to make it more simple and certain. The Barker Review also recommended in relation to Section 106, that it be 'scaled back' to address the direct impacts of developments (Barker, 2006; p.11).
Also, Housing Associations in London such as the Keystart Housing Association, Tower Homes, Metropolitan Home Ownership and London Strategic Housing and professionally affiliated Housing Associations such as the Teachers Housing Association are organisations which assist individuals who struggle to afford their own houses in London.
The Registered Social Landlord initiative, which applies to Registered Social Landlord properties built or transferred from a Local Authority, is a home owning subsidy scheme which finances Homebuy Schemes, Shared Ownership, Right to Acquire and Voluntary Purchase Schemes (http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/housing/). These schemes are directed at those renting their homes and they invest the tenant with various legal rights to the purchase of the home that they are renting (http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/housing/). Registered Social Landlords are regulated and administered through the Housing Corporation. The role of the Housing Corporation is as follows: ‘The Housing Corporation was established by Parliament in 1964 to promote voluntary non-profit making housing associations and co operatives.....(.http://www.communities.gov.uk)'.


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