Leader's blog - 4 September 2024
As Basildon marks its 75th anniversary, the spotlight naturally falls on its origins as a New Town, built to provide quality homes and a better life for its residents.
Council housing is more than just bricks and mortar. It is the foundation of strong, resilient communities where families can thrive. Affordable, secure housing allows people to put down roots, build lives, and participate actively in society. For many, a council home is the anchor that enables children to grow up in a safe, stable environment, allowing them to stay in the same school, make lasting friendships, and access opportunities they may otherwise miss. It gives parents peace of mind, knowing they have a home they can afford, which in turn allows them to focus on work, education, and personal development without the constant anxiety of housing insecurity.
In Basildon, we understand the transformative power of council housing. Our town was built on the principle that everyone deserves access to decent, affordable homes. We know first-hand how housing not only meets the basic human need for shelter but also fosters a sense of community, belonging, and pride. This is why we are leading the national conversation on council housing, pushing for reforms that will secure its future for generations to come.
In 1949 the Housing Minister Lewis Silkin had a vision of erasing class distinctions in the New Towns and he believed a new generation of council housing was the way to achieve it. His aspiration was that "different income groups living in the new towns will not be segregated," and he envisioned a community where, after a town centre event, "When they leave to go home I do not want to see the better-off people go to the right and the less well-off to go to the left. I want them to ask each other, 'Are you going my way?'".
For 75 years we have had communities that have been made up of council housing, private renters and homeowners all living in the same streets, creating communities and one of the country's most successful economies.
The current housing crisis in the UK has highlighted the urgent need for more council housing, and Basildon is at the forefront of this fight. As outlined in the recent report "Securing the Future of Council Housing," the national council housing system is at a crossroads. Without immediate action, councils across the country will struggle to maintain their existing housing stock, let alone build new homes. In Basildon, we are determined to prevent that from happening. We believe that with the right reforms, council housing can continue to play a critical role in solving the housing crisis, while also promoting social mobility, improving health outcomes, and strengthening local economies.
The report presents five key solutions that could secure the future of council housing, and Basildon is already pushing for these changes in the corridors of power. We are advocating for a fair and sustainable Housing Revenue Account (HRA) model that will provide councils with the financial stability needed to maintain and build homes. Reforming unsustainable Right to Buy policies is also essential if we are to prevent the loss of valuable council homes and ensure that newly built homes remain available for those who need them most.
Furthermore, we are calling for the removal of red tape that hinders councils from accessing the funding they need to build affordable homes. The Affordable Homes Programme must be made more flexible, allowing councils like Basildon to meet the specific housing needs of their communities. We are also pushing for the announcement of a Green and Decent Homes Programme, which will ensure that all council homes meet modern standards of safety, decency, and energy efficiency, contributing to the wider goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Finally, we need the government to fund the completion of new council homes. With the right investment, councils can step in to rescue stalled development projects and ensure that housing supply meets the growing demand. Basildon is ready to take on this challenge, but we need the government's support to make it happen.
As we celebrate 75 years of Basildon, we look to the future with optimism and determination. Our town was built on the foundation of council housing, and we are committed to ensuring that this legacy continues. By advocating for these vital reforms, we are not only securing the future of council housing in Basildon but also playing a key role in shaping the national agenda. Council housing has the power to transform lives, and we will continue to push our voice into the corridors of power to ensure that every family has access to the secure, affordable housing they deserve.
Published 4 September 2024