The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee has today launched a new inquiry examining housing conditions in England, looking at the prevalence of hazards such as damp and mould in the social housing and private rented sectors, and scrutinising how effective policies to improve housing conditions are likely to be.
Following the Government’s social and affordable housing announcement, the Committee will examine whether the proposed reforms to the Decent Homes Standard will help improve conditions in social housing and the private rented sector.
In the context of the Government’s target to build 1.5m new homes in this Parliament, the HCLG Committee will be looking at how the Government can ensure new-build homes are of good quality. The cross-party Committee’s inquiry will also be exploring conditions in temporary accommodation.
Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government(HCLG) Committee said: “We are in a housing crisis and the time for action is long overdue. Too many people, whether in the rented sector or in social housing, suffer from appalling housing conditions. Whether it is residents living in poorly insulated homes, experiencing overcrowding, or enduring housing with damp or mould, it’s crucial we see effective action to address these issues.
“Examining the Government’s Decent Homes Standard, the introduction of ‘Awaab’s law’, and the passage of the Renters Reform Bill, we want to probe how far these policies will go to address the poor housing conditions which blight the lives of too many people in England today.”
Public evidence sessions are expected to commence in September. Details will be confirmed and announced in due course, but the Committee is likely to hear from witnesses includingtenants and leaseholder groups, landlords, housing associations, letting agents, developers, homebuyers, and the MHCLG Minister.
