Lunchtime news Feb 19

The Daily Mirror reports that council tenants will lose their security of tenure under proposals due in the Hills review of social housing tomorrow. Tenants would be means tested and lose their home if their income goes up and children would lose their right to take over their parents’ tenancy, it predicts.

UPDATE: But communities secretary Ruth Kelly downplayed the possibility on The World at One and the programme said John Hills had told it he was not recommending the end of security of tenure.

Defend Council Housing offers Hills some new ‘useful pointers’ on its website.

The housing market boom is over, says Ashley Seagar in The Guardian, while admitting he’s got it wrong before.

Compulsory treatment in mental hospitals is the solution to homelessness, says Big Issue founder John Bird in the Mail on Sunday. The article is publicising a film on Channel Four on Friday.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has issued a new practice guide for planners on development in flood-risk areas.

The Housing Corporation has announced a shortlist of 12 housing associations for its Gold Award 2007.

Independent regulation of housing associations is vital to maintaining lender confidence in the sector, says the CML [downloads PDF] in its reponse to the Cave review.