NHF response to building safety announcement

We have responded to an announcement from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on building safety today. 

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, says:

“We welcome this important move from the government to find a solution to the cost of dangerous cladding on buildings above 11m, and we agree that those responsible - developers, contractors and manufacturers - should make a major contribution to funding the remediation needed. Innocent leaseholders should not have to pay for building safety issues created by the big building firms. 

In the absence of funding, charitable housing associations have been left to pick up the bill. These not-for-profit organisations already estimate they will spend £10bn - over double the sum being talked about today - on remediating homes where social renters live, impacting their ability to build more social housing and improve existing properties.

“As ever when it comes to this crisis, speed, clarity and certainty are of the essence. We need urgent and decisive action to end the misery leaseholders are experiencing and ensure people are safe in their homes. We look forward to seeing more detail from the government and will continue to work with ministers to put an end to the cladding scandal”