How was it possible for 1 London Local Authority to build more affordable houses than any other Council and reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs Year on year when so many other councils are unable to?

I asked Darren Rodwell the ex Leader (and Mastermind) of Barking and Dagenham Council's impressive Housing record about this and more.

Darren and I discussed;

The breakdown of housing for communities.

Why Barking and Dagenham's community had felt the extremist views of the BNP were what they needed prior to Darren.

Why people strive for a community that shows value to them and that they show to that community.

Our desire for our children to do better than us.

The difference between Affordable and Social Housing.

The Anderson Housing Act after the war, Homes for Heroes the Nationwide expansion of Housing.

How after the Victorian era hope and aspiration ruled and it became an expectation that the council would provide you a home and business would provide you with a job.

Common good vs good for the individual.

Housing Associations, council equivalent rent and shared ownership schemes.

How "Affordable" means we recognise you can pay a bit more.

Why a mixed tenure approach to housing is important.

Why some labels create echo chambers of "you are not good enough.

Why Housing should be Aspirational.

Council Housing is a form of Build to Rent.

How the council housing boom after the war was funded when the country was broke.

How Darren reduced Temporary Accommodation costs to the council year on year.

How Barking & Dagenham built 20% of Londons Affordable Housing.

Why expecting private developers to pay for council housing is causing councils to go broke.

The power of being led by community, facilitated by Local Authority and invested in by partners is the key formula that councils should adopt.

You only get a council property if your need is greater than others.

How Darren reduced Housing waiting lists from 11,000 to around 4,000.

Why looking at the deprivation index is a good measure.

Building communities and not just homes should be the focus which is why the percentage of schools rated good to outstanding increased from 68% to 92% in the borough.

Why Local Authorities must serve the community rather than Parent it.

A council should look to reduce running costs but empower the community.

Why we have not done proper council house building in the UK since the 60s and 70s.

How MIPIM is now attracting public and private entities together.

Measuring success in social equity with the peoples personal index.

How wealth funds, infrastructure funds and pension funds can play a vital role in affordable housing.

Why housing is the greatest infrastructure requirement in this country.

How housing benefit costs can be offset by capital expenditure.

Why the planning system is not broken.

And a whole lot more.

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