Friday, 7th January 2011
Top stories this week
HBF report: Blocked pipeline threatens housing supply - new report shows alarming drop in housing approvals.....read more
HBF report: Building a recovery in the New Year.....read more
HBF meets Greg Clark.....read more
Prime Minister: Banks have gone 'too far' in restricting mortgages.....read more
Nationwide: House price index.....read more
Halifax: FTB (first-time buyer) mortgage affordability improves to 12 year high......read more
Bank of England: Credit Conditions Survey 2010 Q4......read more
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HBF news
HBF report: Blocked pipeline threatens housing supply - New report shows alarming drop in housing approvals
A new quarterly report, published for the first time today and covered in the Financial Times, gives the first full and accurate picture of the number of planning permissions being granted by Local Authorities across the country.
The results, for Q3 of 2010, show how planning permissions to build new homes dropped alarmingly from 2007/08 levels and are at one of the lowest levels in the last five years, and the second lowest of the past 19 quarters.
HBF is stressing to Government that the implications of this collapse in permissions are stark and threaten to exacerbate an already acute housing crisis. Currently the country has a housing shortfall estimated to be a million homes, and last year saw the lowest number built since 1923.
Permissions granted for homes typically take up to three years to build. So the implications of this drop will not be felt for some time. However, with household formation projections showing the need for the country to build around 232,000 homes a year until 2033, and 2009’s total at just 118,000 – there is obvious potential for the crisis to deepen.
The “New Housing Pipeline” report shows that through 2010 there has been a steady fall in permissions granted to developers for new homes, with a drop in England from over 40,000 in Q1 to just over 30,000 in Q3. This drop coincides with radical changes to the planning system by the new Government, and a shift from the old top down targets to a new localism based approach that hands more power to Local Authorities.
In the press release issued today with the report , HBF Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley said.
“The report paints a bleak picture and shows how permissions, the lifeblood of housing supply, have plummeted. We already have an acute housing crisis and these figures show there is potential for it to get much worse. The social and economic implications of this would be a disaster for the country.
“The Government cannot afford to let confusion over planning policy reduce further the number of permissions given. Whilst the policy vacuum of the past few months is now being filled, it is vital Government gets on and implements its new policies. It must ensure Local Authorities accept responsibility and the power they have been given. It is crucial Councils recognise the housing shortage, understand the new system and appreciate the Govt’s incentives and allow developers to build the homes their residents and the country desperately need.”
The report, complied by Glenigan for HBF, is the first of what will be quarterly monitoring. It will provide a regular and accurate assessment of the situation being faced by developers as Local Authorities get used to the new planning system.
View report
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HBF: Building a Recovery in the New Year
Over the Christmas period HBF published a new report, ‘Building a Recovery – Reconstructing our Regions’’, which highlighted the clear economic benefits of meeting housing need and tackling the housing crisis. The report was widely covered in the national and regional media.
It shows that building the homes required to meet Government’s projections of need would mean £1.2bn of investment through the New Homes Bonus annually across the country and the creation of over 215,000 jobs.
In the press release accompanying the report, HBF Executive Chairman, Stewart Baseley, said:
“Building houses is a win-win for communities across the country. Not only will families get the homes they need but local employment and increased investment will be boosted.
“Economic growth is fundamental to a successful recovery and housing has a huge role to play – I urge Local Authorities to reap the rewards of development and start building the homes the country needs.”
The report was covered by the Times nationally and attracted major coverage across the regional press.
Read more
Download report
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HBF meets Greg Clark
HBF met Minister for Decentralisation Greg Clark this week to discuss the Localism Bill. The Minister expressed his wish to work closely with HBF during the passage of the Bill on which he is leading for the Government and asked HBF to let the Government know of any amendments to the legislation it thinks are necessary. He confirmed the Government’s aim that the Bill’s changes to the planning system should facilitate growth and development.
HBF response to Grant Shapps on Reducing the Regulatory Burden
HBF this week sent in its submission to Grant Shapps in response to his letter in late November seeking views and suggestions for reducing ’home building red tape’.
Please click here to view the briefing document*
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HBF response: New Homes Bonus consultation
HBF has also submitted its response to the DCLG consultation regarding the introduction of the New Homes Bonus.
Please click here to download a copy of the response*
*member only content, please remember to login to view
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HBF response: Changes to planning application fees in England
HBF has also submitted a response to the Government’s recent consultation paper regarding proposals for changes to planning application fees in England. In the consultation the Government suggests that planning application fees should be devolved to local planning authorities in order that they can set their own fees to reflect the actual costs of processing planning applications in their own area. Currently fees for applications are set nationally.
HBF’s response expresses considerable concern over the proposals, drawing attention to the problems they would cause regarding the fair and transparent calculation of costs, the assessment of value for money and the problems of LPAs providing a monopoly service within their own area.
HBF has also suggested that the Government reopens the debate over planning application fees in the light of the proposals set out in the Localism Bill.
Please click here to view the full response
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Memorial service for Graham Tunstall
A memorial service for Graham Tunstall, who passed away in Australia last October will be held on January 21st at 2.00pm at St Phillips Church, Church Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
Graham spent many years working in the house building supply chain during which he developed many good relations within the industry.
He spent the 80’s and 90s at Twyfords, during which time he helped Twyfords become the leading bathroom materials supplier for the new build market. After leaving Twyfords, he joined Roca before retiring in 2005.
In the 20 years during which Graham was involved with house builders he was highly respected by all who dealt with him and developed excellent relationships with personnel from all levels within virtually every major house builder in the UK.
After the service at St Phillips, there will be a reception with light refreshments at a local venue.
Anyone proposing to attend is requested to RSVP to Noelyn Tunstall at gandntunstallaus@aol.com
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Government and political news
Prime Minister: Banks have gone 'too far' in restricting mortgages
The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that the Prime Minister had said banks and building societies have gone “too far” in preventing “good risk” home buyers from getting mortgages – something HBF has been impressing on Government for some time.
This follows comments by Housing Minister Grant Shapps during an appearance before the CLG Select Committee just before Christmas where he stated that the Government was looking at introducing initiatives to help first time buyers – again something HBF has pushed hard for in recent months.
David Cameron’s remarks were made at a PM Direct event held in Leicester on Wednesday evening. The Telegraph quoted Mr Cameron as saying:
“We don’t want another housing boom where prices rise out of people’s reach, but the housing market is a key part of the economy. You need a housing market where people are able to sell, people are able to buy, people can move to different parts of the country, people can go in search of that job they want or reunite their family.
“The housing market has become very stuck and we’ve got to get it moving again. So a proper conversation with the banks and building societies that stops the pendulum going the other way is important.
“We want a market that is moving, but not the unsustainable rise prices. That is what we are trying to deliver.”
The Telegraph’s report follows the page 1 lead story in the Financial Times on 31 December in which it was reported that Grant Shapps would use an imminent meeting with the head of the Financial Services Authority, Hector Sants, to urge that “[the FSA’s] review of lending practices not be so severe as to exacerbate an already difficult situation for would-be homebuyers”. The Telegraph yesterday confirmed the Minister will tell Mr Sants that mortgage product innovation should not be “snuffed out” by over-zealous product-by-product regulation.
HBF submitted a detailed response to the FSAs consultation on its proposals to increase regulation before Christmas.
Read more
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Grant Shapps: 2011 will be the year councillors become community champions
Grant Shapps this week wrote to all Local Authority leaders stating that 2011 will be the year of councillor power and encouraging a new generation of community champions to put their names on the ballot paper for May's local elections.
The Minister said that the Localism Bill will help place councillors centre stage in their communities with more clout than ever before to get things done for the people they serve.
Grant Shapps said:
"It is ridiculous that a community can vote for someone standing on a particular issue, only for that person to be barred from talking about it once in office. Councillors must be given the freedom to properly represent the views of their constituents.
"The Localism Bill will do just that. It will clarify the predetermination rules and so put an end to uncertainty that has left councillors up and down the country confused and concerned about whether voicing an opinion on an issue of local importance will lead to charges of bias.
"We are placing councillors centre stage in their communities with more clout than ever before to get things done for the people they serve. 2011 will truly be the year of councillor power. That's why I want to encourage a new generation of community champions to put their names on the ballot paper for May's local elections."
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Grant Shapps’ call to self-builders
Housing Minister Grant Shapps this week called on the country's aspiring self-builders to make a house building revolution their New Year's resolution.
Mr Shapps pledged to end self-building as the preserve of the privileged few. He said barriers that stand in people's way would be torn down - including a complex and bureaucratic planning system, regulatory burdens, and lack of access to land and finance.
Grant Shapps said:
"Building your own home should not be the preserve of a privileged few - I want to break down the barriers that many aspiring self-builders often come up against. That's why I've asked experts at the National Self Build Association to work with us to develop an action plan to make it easier for people to build their own homes, whether on their own or as part of a community effort to build a whole new neighbourhood.
"But the action plan will also look at how more people can be helped to make the most of the opportunities to build their own homes. For example, the new Community Right to Build will put power in the hands of local people to give the go-ahead to new developments in their area - and could open the door to a whole new generation of self-builders.”
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Councils urged to make 2011 the year of the electric car
The Government has outlined more support to encourage greater use of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Ministers want councils to be at the forefront of an electric car revolution making it easier for drivers to make green choices. They are urging councils to promote electric vehicle charging points in new developments, without making developments unaffordable.
Ministers also announced their intention to allow charging points to be built on streets and in outdoor car parks without the need for planning permission.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said:
"Over the last decade, motorists' lives have become a misery, with politicians failing to address people's aspirations to own cars. With 84 per cent of journeys made by car, instead of pointlessly penalising drivers we want to make it easier for car owners to make greener choices on the road.
"We know people want to buy into the eco friendly car, but they need their politicians to catch up and bring in the infrastructure that makes it a feasible option. That's why we are today urging councils to include charging points in new developments and the Government will relax the need for planning permission for electric charging points on streets, walls and in car parks."
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Comprehensive spending review
The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee have published uncorrected written evidence from the meeting of Tuesday 21st December 2010 on the comprehensive spending review.
Please click here to view
The witnesses were;
Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Greg Clark, Minister for Decentralisation
Grant Shapps, Minister for Housing and Local Government, gave evidence.
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Housing market news
Nationwide: House price index
The latest house price index produced by Nationwide reported that:
House prices rose by a modest 0.4% in December;
House prices were essentially unchanged for the full year 2010
Commenting on the figures Martin Gahbauer, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said:
“The seasonally adjusted price index for a typical UK property rose by 0.4% month-on-month in December, after having posted declines in the previous two months. The three month on three month rate of change – which smoothes out the monthly volatility of house prices and is a better indicator of the recent trend – rose from -1.3% in November to -1.0% in December and is still consistent with modestly declining house prices. For 2010 as a whole, house prices posted an unremarkable gain of 0.4%, as most of the price increases from the first half of the year were reversed during the second half. The essentially flat outcome for the full year is in line with expectations.
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Halifax: FTB (first-time buyer) mortgage affordability improves to 12 year high
The Halifax’s annual First Time Buyer Review was published over Christmas with the following headline findings:
Monthly mortgage costs as a proportion of income are below the long term average;
40% of local authority areas are affordable for FTBs, a sevenfold increase on 2007;
95% of first time purchases are now exempt from stamp duty.
Mortgage affordability in terms of servicing costs for those who have obtained mortgages to take their first steps onto the property ladder is at its most favourable for 12 years according to the Halifax. The proportion of disposable earnings devoted to mortgage payments by a potential new first time buyer stood at 27% in September 2010; the lowest since December 1998 and almost half of the peak level of 50% in September 2007. This significant improvement in affordability over the past three years has been mainly driven by a combination of lower house prices and declining mortgage rates.
Other key findings included:
The average house price paid by first time buyers has more than doubled over the past decade, increasing by 102% from £68,644 in 2000 to £138,682 in 2010. First time buyer property prices rose more than the average price paid by all homebuyers which increased by 89% over the same period.
The average mortgage advance for a FTB in 2010 was £109,912; up 5% on 2009 and by 87% since 2000 (£58,808).
FTBs were required to find an average deposit of £28,770 in 2010, equivalent to 21% of the property price. In 2000, FTBs put down an average deposit of £9,865 (14%).
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CML: Seasonal decline in November mortgage lending
Gross mortgage lending in November was an estimated £11.1bn, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This represents a 5% drop from £11.6bn in October. Reflecting the distortion in lending that arose towards the end of last year’s stamp duty concession, the November figure is 10% lower than the £12.3bn advanced in November 2009. As the lowest November total since 2000 (£10.9bn), this is the fifth consecutive month where gross mortgage lending has been at its weakest since the equivalent month in 2000.
Bob Pannell, CML Chief Economist, commented:
“The fall in gross mortgage lending in November reflects the usual seasonal slowing of activity at this time of year, and reinforces the picture of a continuing flat market. Comparisons with the year earlier are somewhat distorted, as some households brought forward house purchase activity into the closing months of 2009 to take advantage of the stamp duty concession. But both demand for mortgage borrowing and the supply of funds for lending remain heavily constrained.
“The CML market forecasts published last week suggest that gross mortgage lending in 2011 is likely to remain at similar levels to this year. We estimate gross mortgage lending for next year will total around £135 bn.”
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Land Registry: November house prices down 0.6% since October
The November data from Land Registry's House Price Index shows an annual price increase of 2.2% which takes the average property value in England and Wales to £164,773. The monthly change from October to November is a decrease of 0.6%.
Seven regions in England and Wales experienced increases in their average property values over the last 12 months. The region with the highest annual price change is London with an increase of 6.8%. London also experienced the greatest monthly rise with an increase of 0.4%. The region with the greatest annual price fall is Wales with a movement of -3.3%. Wales also experienced the most significant monthly price fall with a movement of -3.4%.
The most up-to-date figures available show that during September 2010, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales dropped by six per cent to 55,068 from 58,430 in September 2009. The number of properties sold in England and Wales for over £1m increased by 24% between September 2009 and September 2010, from 552 to 686.
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Hometrack: 71% of the country sees prices end lower than at start of year
The latest market commentary data from Hometrack revealed that:
The latest survey of over 5,100 agents and surveyors recorded price falls across 36% of the market during December. Overall house prices fell by -1.6% over 2010;
71% of the country saw prices end lower than at the start of the year;
Demand fell by -4.8%, the sixth month in a row as did supply (-1.5). The proportion of asking price achieved fell to a 16 month low (92.1%);
The time taken to sell increased over the month to 10 weeks - the longest period since April 2009. The time on the market is now over 3 months for three regions - East Midlands, North West and Wales;
An imbalance between supply and demand has characterised the housing market over the last 12 months. The first half of the year saw an overall price rise of 1.3%, but as the second half of the year began, supply and demand moved in opposite directions and prices between June and December fell by -2.3%;
Over the course of the year, the supply of homes for sale grew by 24% while demand fell by 7%. In the final 6 months of the year, demand fell by 18%;
Prices tracked lower across 36% of the country in December. But across 15% of the country - notably London and the South East - prices in December are higher than they were at the start of the year;
Looking ahead to 2011, house prices are likely to remain under downward pressure for the first half of the year. Weak demand and falling supply will be the defining features of the market. Lack of mortgage finance and falling consumer sentiment are trends that will continue into 2011;
Hometrack expects house prices to fall by -2% in 2011. Factoring in limited growth in real household incomes, Hometrack see house prices tracking sideways for the foreseeable future.
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RICS: House prices to fall slightly in 2011 but repossessions to drop off
House prices will finish the year 2% lower than at the end of 2010, says RICS UK Housing Market Forecast. Transactions are likely to remain flat, while repossessions will decline marginally.
RICS says that although house prices are likely to continue to slip over the coming months, falling supply should provide a platform for the market to stabilise at some stage in the first half of 2011. Indeed, by the latter part of the year, prices could be edging up again, with the result that by the end of 2011, they may not be very different from where they currently stand.
A key risk to this view is that fall out from public spending cuts will have a bigger impact on the jobless total than envisaged, which will depress buyer interest by more than anticipated. However, even in these circumstances, the lack of supply will prevent the decline in prices amounting to more than 5%.
Despite the narrowing gap between demand and supply, it is likely the number of completed sales will remain flat. RICS estimates the average volume of transactions will amount to little more than 900,000 over the course of 2011. Key indicators suggest the availability of mortgage finance will not show any significant increase, keeping transactions at roughly the same level as 2010.
The lack of supply in the market is likely to prevent significant house price declines in 2011. The narrowing gap between supply and demand will see the gentle downward trend in prices currently taking place at least partly reversed as the year wears on.
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Industry news
Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI™: UK construction activity contracted in December due to poor weather conditions
December data signalled a marginal decrease of activity in the UK construction sector, ending a nine-month period of growth. The seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) posted 49.1, falling from November’s 51.8. However, many constructors indicated that poor weather conditions had negatively impacted on activity, with new order growth accelerating slightly. Nonetheless, employment fell sharply, and confidence regarding future business prospects remained relatively weak.
Key points:
New business rose again, but at modest rate;
Employment fell sharply;
Confidence amongst UK construction companies remained historically subdued.
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CIH: Investment in social housing plummets following three decade high
The new UK Housing Review from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), sponsored by Savills, shows that overall gross investment in social housing rose again in 2009/10 so that it is now up by over 80% since the late 1990s, but prospects are now bleak as the sector is facing a collapse in investment as part of the deficit reduction measures. The last two years saw investment in social housing at its highest sustained level in real terms for three decades, with dramatic improvements in the condition of social rented housing across Britain, although this could now be at risk when spending cuts take effect in April 2011.
CIH Director of Policy and Practice Richard Capie said:
"The last two years have seen record investment in social housing across Britain, both from central government and importantly through private finance. This allowed the provision of more homes, essential community regeneration and important improvements in existing homes. We have now entered a very different era, with 50 per cent cuts in cash terms to housing budgets in England and around 19 per cent in Scotland.
"We are in the midst of a housing crisis with fewer than half the homes we need being built. This latest research shows the sheer scale of the dramatic cuts we are now seeing in new housing. These are a body blow to first time buyers, low income households and the construction sector.
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Economic news
Bank of England: Credit Conditions Survey 2010 Q4
The latest results of the Bank’s credit conditions survey reported that:
Supply
Lenders reported that the availability of secured credit to households was broadly unchanged in the three months to early December 2010 and was expected to remain at a similar level over the next three months. Some lenders reported that availability had been constrained somewhat by expectations for house prices;
Unsecured credit availability to households was reported to have fallen a little in the previous quarter, but lenders expected that availability would increase a little in the next quarter.
The overall availability of credit to corporates was broadly unchanged in 2010 Q4, following a period of rising availability for most of the previous two years, and was expected to remain broadly unchanged in 2011 Q1. Lenders reported that the availability of credit to small businesses had increased a little in 2010 Q4, for the third consecutive quarter, and expected a further increase over the coming quarter.
Demand
Lenders reported that demand for secured lending for house purchase had fallen markedly in 2010 Q4 and was expected to fall further in 2011 Q1. Demand for secured lending for remortgaging was reported to have risen in 2010 Q4, but this was not expected to continue into the next quarter;
Over the previous three months, households’ demand for credit card lending was reported to have been unchanged while demand for non credit card lending fell. Lenders expected that demand for unsecured lending would increase a little over the next three months;
Demand for credit from medium and large private non-financial corporations (PNFCs) was reported to be broadly unchanged in 2010 Q4. Demand from large companies was expected to rise in 2011 Q1. Among small businesses, overall demand for credit was unchanged over the previous quarter, but was expected to fall over the next quarter.
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CBI: Growth will still be slow in third year of recovery
The CBI continues to forecast 2.0% growth in the UK economy in 2011 and in its new prediction for 2012, slightly faster growth of 2.4% is expected.
Despite many risks to the outlook, and a forecast of particularly fragile growth at the beginning of 2011, The CBI expects the UK recovery to be maintained and still considers the risk of a double dip back into recession to be low.
The pace of recovery is expected to slow to a very sluggish rate of only 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2011, when consumer spending falls slightly in response to higher VAT. Steady but fairly modest growth of 0.4%, 0.5% and 0.5% is predicted over the remaining quarters of 2011.
Quarterly growth rates are expected to pick up a bit more momentum during 2012, with the economy forecast to expand by 2.4% over the year as a whole - rather subdued for this stage of a recovery.
The CBI expects inflation throughout 2011 to be higher than previously forecast, reflecting greater inflationary pressure from energy and commodity prices. CPI inflation will significantly exceed the Bank of England’s 2% target in 2011 for a second year, mainly due to the impact of higher VAT. This upward push to inflation will end by Q1 2012, when inflation is forecast to dip just below target before ending the year at 2.4%.
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Bank of England: Lending to individuals, November 2010
According to the latest data from the Bank of England, total lending to individuals rose £0.7bn (0.0%) in November. The twelve-month growth rate was unchanged at 0.8%.
Within the total, lending secured on dwellings rose £0.8bn in November, compared to a £1.2bn increase in October, slightly above the previous six-month average of £0.7bn. The twelve-month growth rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 0.8% and the three-month annualised growth rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 0.7%. The number of loan approvals for house purchase (48,019) was slightly higher than the October figure (47,315). Approvals for remortgaging (34,262) rose from October (30,429) and were higher than the previous six-month average (28,210), while approvals for other purposes (22,770) fell from October (23,425) and were lower than the previous six-month average of 24,149.
Consumer credit fell by £0.1bn in November, compared to a £0.3bn increase in October. The twelve-month growth rate was unchanged at 0.6%. Within consumer credit, credit card lending rose £0.1bn on while other loans and advances showed a repayment of £0.2bn.
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CML: Market commentary
The CML has stated in their market commentary that after the chaos of 2008 and the recession of 2009, 2010 has proved to be a year of greater stability and promise than might have seemed likely at the start of the year. CML says the prospect for 2011 is one of continued recovery from the aftermath of the banking crisis but the strong pace of growth achieved during the summer is unlikely to be maintained. Growth in the first half of 2011 is likely to prove particularly sluggish.
Against this unpromising economic background, mortgage lending is unlikely to show any significant rise from the levels achieved this year. The market has proved surprisingly stable for much of the year: both demand for mortgage borrowing and the supply of funds for lending have been markedly constrained. None of the factors influencing the market appears likely to see any great change during the 2011. Without any such impetus, lending will merely maintain its current modest level.
CML observes the pattern of activity in the mortgage market has diverged from that of the wider economy. The ending of Stamp Duty concessions at the end of 2009 caused a flurry of activity in Q4 2009 which proved short lived. Thus, whereas activity in the wider economy strengthened during the year, the trend in the mortgage market has been one of stagnation. The fall in gross mortgage lending in November of £0.5bn compared to the previous month reflects the usual seasonal slowing of activity at this time of the year. Overall the market remains very flat with both demand for mortgage borrowing and the supply of funds for lending markedly constrained.
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BoE: Minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting 8 and 9th December 2010
The Bank of England has published the minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on 8 and 9th December 2010 at which it was decided to maintain the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.5% and to maintain the stock of asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves at £200bn. The minutes state that:
“The key consideration for the policy decision was whether recent developments had altered the Committee’s view of the balance of risks to the prospects for inflation in the medium term. As had been the case for some months now, there were two opposing key risks.
“On the downside, there remained the risk that private sector demand would not pick up sufficiently strongly to offset the fiscal consolidation and to erode the substantial margin of spare capacity that existed in the labour market and within firms. The persistent underutilisation of resources could then cause inflation to fall significantly below the 2% target in the medium term….
“On the upside, there was the risk that a prolonged period of above-target inflation could cause inflation expectations to rise, making it more costly to bring inflation back to target in the medium term. Recent developments had heightened this upside risk. CPI inflation had risen again in November. There were also signs of increasing inflationary pressures from strong growth in the world economy. Commodity prices had risen substantially over recent months, which could herald a prolonged period of deterioration in the UK terms of trade. And there were some signs that UK households’ inflation expectations were edging up.”
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Events
HBF Policy Conference, Birdcage Walk, London Thursday March 31st 2011
The HBF’s Annual Spring Policy Conference will address the key issues impacting on the industry in 2011 – including Localism, Mortgages and Finance and Affordable Housing. A series of keynote speakers will join senior HBF staff in discussing with delegates the challenges facing the industry.
Full details and booking forms will be available early in the New Year
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Save the Date! - HMI conference and annual report launch, Savoy Place, London
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
The ninth annual Housing Market Intelligence conference will be held on October 12th 2011 and will include the launch of the annual Housing Market Intelligence Report. Over the best part of the past decade, the Housing Market Intelligence conference has established itself as the leading event for business planning and strategic thinking in the private sector house building industry.
Full details available in 2011
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The Zero Carbon Hub Conference 2011 – Tomorrow's New Homes- Definition and delivery of low and zero carbon
1st February 2011 - Kings Place, London
The Zero Carbon Hub Conference is designed to bring delegates right up to date with the issues surrounding zero carbon, looking specifically at the definition and delivery of the zero carbon homes policy. An exhibition alongside the conference will showcase key products and services to aid delivery.
For more information or a booking form please visit www.house-builder.co.uk/zch or call 020 7960 1646.
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Habitat for Humanity – Hope Challenge 2011!
HBF’s nominated charity Habitat for Humanity has announced that its annual fundraiser ‘The Hope Challenge’ will take place next year from 11-13th July. The event involves a weekend in the stunning Peak District national park where participants take part in a series of challenges and have to build their own shelter in which to spend the Saturday night.
Want to know more? Then email hopechallenge@habitatforhumanity.org.uk or call 01295 264240.
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HBM Business Manager to travel to Nepal – can you help?
Housebuilder Media Business Manager Helen Board will next year travel to Nepal with HBF’s nominated charity Habitat for Humanity, to work with homeless people in what is one of the poorest countries in the world.
During her time there she will work with the HFH people on the ground to build a home for a family.
To make the trip possible she has to raise £2600 and is looking for sponsorship.
Please click here to sponsor Helen or to find out more
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For other HBF events visit the website
For HBM events visit
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Rosie Hinchliffe
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