Social and affordable housing should be a priority
To me, housing people isn’t complicated. You work out how many people are likely to be living in the Borough, ask them what they need and can afford - then provide it. Of course, it is a bit more complicated than that, but no-one is taking responsibility or the wrap, for not delivering more homes.
For years London has had thousands or even tens of thousands of people on their council home waiting list. Why haven’t they been built? Why instead were they sold off? Why were grants cut to housing associations, most of whom do a sterling job at delivering affordable homes and great neighbourhoods?
And what on earth was someone thinking by introducing a Bedroom Tax when most people in larger properties have no smaller properties to go to – so weren’t being given a choice, just being fined for something which wasn’t their fault.
We need a person or team responsible for building homes to match the population and future lifestyle of the country. Currently the post of housing minister is a junior posistion, in the past they have survived between 12-18 months – so no responsibility or commitment to do anything.
Interestingly, one of the few people/teams who have is the Mayor’s office, particularly Boris. And of course the relevance here is he’s been in office for a long period of time, so has had targets set while he is still in office and accountable. The problem with what they are doing is it’s not enough and it’s not happening fast enough. Housing provision is moving at the average London pace of 11 miles an hour, we need it to go as fast as Concorde or at least reassure young people if they save over the next 5-10 years, there will be homes they can afford.
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