Fears that Council Levy Set to Slash Growth of Affordable Housing in Haringey

                                                                                                                                                     Image: Inside Housing

A new consultation on the Community Infrastructure Levy has sparked fears that affordable house building will grind to a halt in the borough.

The Community Infrastructure Levy was introduced in April 2010. The new charge allows local authorities to fund infrastructure by charging on new developments, based on the size and type of the new developments in their area.

The money can be used to support growth by paying for a wide range of infrastructure that is needed as a result of new development. This infrastructure will include things like parks, schools, community facilities, health facilities and leisure centres.

Sounds great, doesn't it! But, as Inside Housing magazine recently pointed out, there's a  downside to the levy too. Economists and housing experts are sharing their fears that the new levy will have a significant impact on depressing the growth of affordable housing as councils switch from the old "Section 106" affordable housing requirements to make the levy viable. Is this about to happen in Haringey?

The Council is running a consultation on introducing this levy in Haringey.  You can contribute to the consultation at hgyol.in/12r566s.