Tory prejudice against affordable housing to deepen city's housing crisis
17 June 2007
The Tory prejudice against providing affordable housing for people on low incomes and key workers will deepen Brighton and Hove’s housing crisis, Cllr Keith Taylor warned today.
Said Cllr Taylor (pictured left): "Under a long-established Brighton and Hove city council policy, 40 per cent of homes on all sites of more than nine houses or flats must be provided by housing associations for rent or shared ownership. These houses and flats are the only realistic hope of a decent home for the many people, many of them sons and daughters of the city, who have been priced out of home ownership or private renting.
"However, at the first housing committee meeting of the new council, Tory councillors voted unanimously against a Green proposal that all parties should confirm their continuing support for the 40 per cent rule. We fear the Tories will reduce the requirement to as little as 25 per cent to please their friends in the building industry who have little commitment to building for those who can’t afford to buy.
"Such a move will see a drastic cut in the affordable housing programme. Indeed, the Green Party has long advocated a 50 per cent to give us a better chance of tackling the city’s housing problems.
"At the same meeting we were told 11,000 households are on the city’s housing waiting list and 600 of the city’s children are living in temporary accommodation. We urge the Tories to reconsider their position and make a judgement based on the city’s housing needs rather than their traditional prejudices".
Notes to editors:
More information: Cllr Keith Taylor 291165, Cllr Bill Randall 294366 or Geoffrey Bowden, 07958 682683The Green proposal was passed by 6 votes to 4 with Labour support.
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