Bleak outlook if housing
crisis is not tackled
As electioneering gets underway for a general election on July 4 there were warnings today about the serious housing crisis and that the issue needs to be tackled.
Kate Henderson (left) chief executive of the National Housing Federation , said: “Without urgent action from the next government, by the end of the next parliament, one in five households will be in unaffordable homes and six children in every school will be homeless.
“This crisis is the result of decades of underinvestment in social housing and short-term, piecemeal approaches the housing policy, but it can be solved.
“The beginning of a new parliamentary term is the best time for bold action and long-term thinking, and our sector is ready to work with whichever party is in power to build the affordable homes the country needs.”
The NHF boss said the membership organisation will continue to call on all political parties to commit to a strategic and properly funded long-term plan for housing.
Barring a dramatic upset, all polling suggests Labour will form the next government. Kick-starting development will not be the only issue in the party’s in Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, the housing charity, said: “No political party can consider itself ready to lead the country unless it is willing to tackle housing head-on.
“Runaway rents, rising evictions and record levels of homelessness are destroying people’s lives; 145,800 children have been condemned to spend their early years in grotty, cramped hostels and B&Bs.
“Meanwhile, private renting remains completely broken, with tenants being forced to pay over the odds for homes that are often in dire condition. As voters gear up to head to the ballot box, lip service is no longer going to cut it – they need a genuine commitment from politicians of all stripes to end the housing emergency.”
Community Voice Carlisle is the blog of Carlisle Tenants` and Residents`Federation. Information about the Federation is available on 01228 52
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