Prime Minister must put action ahead of words on Social Housing

2.19.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th Jul 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Peter Black, has called on the Prime Minister to bring in specific changes to back-up his warm words on affordable housing so as to enable real change in communities around Wales.

The Prime Minister today announced that housing will be one of the top issues on his agenda for government. This includes looking at making homes more affordable for first time buyers and key public servants, particularly in South East England and London. In Wales, the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation has increased from 941 in 1999 to 3,144 in September 2006, over a threefold increase during the life of the National Assembly.

"While I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement that there will be investment in affordable housing, he must also ensure that action is taken to enable local Councils to bring about real improvements in social housing" said Mr. Black. "In particular, it would be useful if local Councils were provided with a level playing field so as to enable them to improve their tenants' homes without facing the Hobsons' choice of transferring houses to housing associations."

"If local Councils had their housing debts written off as is available to stock transfer companies then they would be in a much better position to bring their homes up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. If Councils were in the same position as Housing Associations, and did not have to subsidise housing benefit from their own funds, then they would have more money for repairs and improvements."

"All of these considerations are an important factor in the provision of high quality affordable housing. Such reforms are essential if we are to take the Prime Minister seriously in his new found enthusiasm for housing."