The attack on social housing, begun under the Coalition Government, is continuing under this Government.
If you are young, in receipt of benefits, or working in part-time or low paid employment, if you cannot find thousands of pounds for a deposit or, because of your income or credit status cannot get a mortgage, your chances of being able to find affordable accommodation are almost non-existent.
The number of people renting in the public sector has fallen from 30% in 1985 to 9% which indicates the dramatic fall in social housing. At the same time renting in the private sector has doubled to 22%. Home ownership is exactly the same as it was in 1985, 61%. David Cameron is on track to kill off social housing and leave those who need it nowhere to go but the private rented sector. The days of Peter Rachman beckon when tenants were often living in sub standard properties and paying extortionate rents.
No-one who has followed the past five years of Tory/LibDem policy will be surprised that the government now wants to scrap the requirement to build affordable homes. If anyone in Stockport doesn’t think there is a housing crisis then they are burying their head in the sand.
Cllr Sheila Bailey, Labour Group Housing Spokesperson
A Labour Motion which was passed by a full meeting of Stockport Council on 17th September can be viewed under item 7 (ii) here: http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=5787