£20 INVESTMENT..... THE BIGGEST IN HISTORY

Tory social housing record `is good` - MP

An MP is defending the government`s social housing record following criticism in this blog.

“Quality and standards are being raised and  the £20 billion investment in housing is the biggest investment in new homes in England`s history” says Mr John Stevenson, Conservative MP for Carlisle(pictured) in an email to the blog.

Here is Mr Stevenson`s email:

“Social housing stock across England fell by almost half a million homes between 1997 and 2010 making it harder for many families to access social housing. I am pleased that over 1.8 million new homes have been delivered in the last decade, including 500,000 homes for social rent.

“More remains to be done which is why I am glad that the Spending Review announced nearly £20 billion of investment in housing, the single biggest investment in new homes in England`s history.

“The current Affordable Homes Programme is expected to deliver

250,000 new affordable homes by March 2023- an extension of one

 

 year to provide housing associations and councils more certainty

due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak’

“Half of the homes delivered under the programme will be for reduced rent, including social rent. In the last Budget, the new Affordale Homes Programme was expanded to £11.5 billion for 2021-22 through to 2025-26 to deliver 180,000 homes with a further £700 million allocated for the current programme.

“However, funding alone will not solve the problem, which is why I am pleased that the commitments set out in the Charter for Social Housing Residents  raise the standard for social housing to meet the needs and aspirations of residents around the country.

“Regarding the Social Housing White Paper mentioned in your blog, there can be no compromise on building and fire safety. That is why legislation will be brought in to strengthen the Regulator of Social Housiong, help ensure that health and safety requirements are met and improve the  use of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as well as electrical safety.

“Everyone wants and deserves a decent place to live and it is good to see that quality and standards are being raised”.

 Carlisle Tenants` and Residents` Federation publishes this blog. Information about the Federation is available on 01228 52227