An LGA report report released today shows that councils fear that the Conservative housing bill will see a sell off of homes that will not be replaced and a rocketing of homelessness in communities across Britain.
The survey of local authorities, treated as a snapshot by the LGA laid out their concerns starkly.
The key statistics from this survey are:
– 78% said there would be an increase in homelessness
– 90% of councils surveyed said their number of council homes would decrease
– 74% said the homes sold under RTB would not be replaced
– 82% said there would be less estate regeneration
The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to think again and take advantage of the remaining stages (Report and Third Reading) of the Housing Bill to change the law to help families in housing need.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said:
“The rise of homelessness because of the Government’s housing reforms is utterly appalling. The most vulnerable people in our communities are being completely overlooked. The blame for this lies firmly at the Government’s door.
“When is the Government going to do a proper assessment of the impact of their housing reforms on those most in need?”
Commenting on the results of the council survey which was initiated by Liberal Democrats within the LGA, leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said:
“This survey confirms our fears about the devastation that will be caused by the Government’s housing reforms. Liberal Democrats asked for this survey to be carried out because we suspected this disastrous impact.
“A huge reduction in affordable housing is forecasted across the country. The Tories are intent on destroying housing for those most in need.
“The housing crisis in Britain is desperate, yet the Government is busy giving cash handouts to help those with wealthy parents buy a nice home while the numbers of homes for everyone else is being slashed.
“We need to stop this before it’s too late. Liberal Democrats in the Lords have launched a major attack on the reforms and will be fighting them to the bitter end.”
Tories believe in home ownership, more likely people who will vote for them, more to loose if they don’t. It is an ideological stance. Yes less housing for others, less maintenance because of council cut backs leading to future ghettos. Cameron is not a “compassionate Tory” nor is his party. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
If councils are able to replace homes, the cost could be reduced for each house by approximately 20% by importing prefabricated homes from the Netherlands. Bradford are developing a small estate. I forwarded some info about this to Gregg Mulholland about this last year, hopefully he will still have the newspaper article.