Government emphasis on social and affordable housing extremely welcome – Crisis response

Homelessness charity Crisis is pleased to see the following measures outlined today by Deputy Prime Minster Angela Rayner to tackle the chronic shortage of social and affordable housing:

• ‘Golden rules’ for Green Belt development that stipulate 50% of affordable housing with a focus on social rent on that land
• an immediate flow of the Local Authority Housing Fund to local authorities of £450m to provide 2,000 homes for the 'most vulnerable'
• more flexibility to be introduced to current Affordable Homes Programme with details about future investment plans to follow
• immediate flexibilities for local authorities on use of right to buy receipts as well as a longer-term review
• the publication of a long-term housing strategy

 Responding to the housing proposals Crisis Chief Executive, Matt Downie, said:

 “After a huge net loss of social homes over the past decade, today’s emphasis on social and affordable housing is extremely welcome and suggests that the new Westminster government recognises this national scandal must urgently be brought to an end. Right now, hundreds of thousands of households are facing the worst forms of homelessness across England, stuck in cramped temporary accommodation or forced to sleep on the streets.

“We look forward to seeing how the government plans to deliver 50% affordable housing on Green Belt land with a focus on social rent, and to make sure councils and developers work together to build the 90,000 social homes we need to end homelessness for good.”

-ENDS-