No:   L7/010                                                                           17 January 2007.

STAFFORD’S MP REPEATS CALL FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES

Speaking in a Parliamentary debate today, Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney called for more affordable homes to be a priority in this year’s Comprehensive Spending Review:
“Last year, I spoke about a shortage of affordable homes in the West Midlands region, including in Stafford constituency. By affordable, I mean homes for sale on the open market that first-time buyers can afford, low cost home ownership and shared equity homes and homes for rent from councils and Housing Associations.
“This year, I have the support of the National Housing Federation and the national housing charity Shelter in arguing for more to be done to make sure there are enough affordable homes for all Stafford constituents. My casework tells me that there are many local people who are homeless, or living in temporary accommodation or wishing to buy their own home but they cannot find a house they can afford.
“The Treasury is carrying out the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review right now. Today’s debate was an excellent opportunity to press the case for affordable housing to be a priority for the review – and I grabbed that opportunity! In the debate, Labour MPs from across the Midlands and North of England were there in strength to make the same case for more affordable homes.
“In my speech, I said that some extra homes should come from building more new affordable homes. Ways of achieving this include more public subsidy from Government, stronger use of planning powers by councils and a clearer focus by developers on their customers (the house-buyers). But more homes can also come from making better use of existing housing – including proper care and repair by owners and landlords, reducing the number of homes standing empty and matching people in housing need with homes suitable to their needs.
“I also pointed out that there are some differences in rural, as compared with urban, areas when it comes to meeting local housing need. I hope the Government will give serious thought to affordable homes in its 2007 review of public spending”.

Editor’s Note:  The debate on affordable housing in the North & Midlands was in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 17 January. From tomorrow, this link will enable you to view the Hansard record of it:
http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm