For a 'One Nation' housing policy to be truly credible, people on at least average
incomes have got to believe that if they work hard, play by the rules and do the right
thing, there is a realistic possibility that having a secure home is an achievable goal
and not an unrealistic dream.
Ed Miliband's 'use it or lose it' statement at Labour's Brighton conference regarding
land with existing planning permission to build housing, was a good start. However,
we have to do more to ensure local communities support rather than oppose new
housing when it is planned in their neighbourhoods. We have to find ways of
ensuring that local residents in a given area can truly see that any local housing being
built is a potential benefit to their community, and not an intrusion upon it.
Housing in southern England
Ensuring that the private rented sector (PRS) can be somewhere safe and secure to
live, is challenge we must face head on. Providing longer and more secure tenancies,
with an agreement to a cap or limit on any rent increases, in return for the property
being well-maintained and the rent paid, could be the first steps to ensuring that the
PRS becomes a viable longer-term choice for many, rather than a short term fix.
Secure tenancies of up to five years should be our goal, as this is the sort of
timeframe that those with children and planning their schooling, need to be looking
at.
“Putting councils, if they choose to build again, on a level financial
playing field with housing associations is crucial”
However everything in the medium term comes down to the need to increase the
supply of housing across all tenures. If we address this, then we begin to unlock the
problem. Putting councils, if they choose to build again, on a level financial playing
field with housing associations is crucial, not just in terms of traditional social
housing, but also for private rentals, shared ownership/part buys, and for traditional
sales.
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