Steve Hilditch: his 31 suggestions were accepted [Westminster City Council]

A MAJOR housing strategy has been approved after city councillors gave the thumbs-up to recommendations in a report from Steve Hilditch.

The housing policy expert, a former head of policy for Shelter and former visiting professor at Westminster university, told the committee that back in the 1970s he produced a report calling for a public inquiry into the city council’s housing policy.

Unveiling his Future of Westminster Commission housing review report on Monday, he said: “Back then the complaint was that the housing programme had fallen to 600 completions a year.

“It is symbolic of the poverty of our housing ambition these days that we have fallen to where we are today.

“Some people expected the report to be a political polemic, but I hope it is a sober and serious reflection on the huge issues you are faced with.”

The report recommends the city council build an extra 300 council homes, change the offer of intermediate housing to help key-workers, embark on an “ambitious programme of acquisition of homes” and set up a functioning residents’ panel.

It highlights the “city’s… extraordinary contrasts of richest and poorest”.

The cabinet agreed to the principle of all 31 suggestions in the report that also includes recommendations for improving services for homelessness and for rough sleepers.

Interestingly the report suggests reversing a decision to block the sale at auction of council homes, suggesting that it might be wise to sell off studio flats in “some parts of the city to buy family homes elsewhere”.

Cabinet member for climate action, regeneration and renters, Matt Noble, said: “Bold and creative action is needed if the council is serious about getting to grips with the housing crisis.”

Cabinet member for housing services Liza Begum added: “Listening to the voices of residents, understanding their problems and putting their experience at the heart of our services, will make a huge difference.”