Affordable Housing
As a radical student in the 1960s/ 1970s living in Brighton I was convinced I would never become cynical. One of the central aspects of the philosophy I followed was that there is no such thing as apathy.
Everyone is interested in something so those who want to involve others in social progress must relate to those interests.
I still believe in what I believed nearly 50 years ago but the battle against cynicism is getting more difficult particularly in relation to one of the fundamental responsibilities of local and national government – ensuring citizens have a roof over their head and a home they can return to.
Last week I highlighted the discrepancy between headlines and reality about crime. In the same report to Brighton Council (I would love to know how many of our elected representatives read these reports) I found that;
“The number of affordable homes being delivered is declining with only two, yes two, in the first six months of our new administration and only 66 units are expected to be built during the whole year compared with 244 homes last year.”
We hear many statements about building houses, tackling homelessness, affordable housing, but looking at hard reality it is PR and hot air.
I know there are councillors who sincerely believe in providing adequate accommodation for our citizens but unless there is a brave and radical rethink and a willingness to listen to the people rather than council officers we will not move forward.
Even those who live in social housing in our city are suffering because of policies decided upon by our Labour administration in an attempt to squeeze every penny from those who are poor yet reduce the burden as much as possible on the more affluent.
There are well over 20,000 households on the waiting list for Brighton & Hove and, at a conservative estimate; the same number, at least, seeking adequate accommodation other than social housing.
In October this year the Leader of the council claimed one thousand new affordable homes could be built in Brighton and Hove within two years and that work could start in the New Year.
Council leader Warren Morgan said;
The scheme would put the dream of renting or owning a home within reach of thousands of lower incomes workers and families in the city at a time when property prices have risen 11 per year in the past year”.
The leader said the soaring housing market in the city had rendered an existing commitment to provide 40 per cent affordable homes in new developments as “meaningless”.
The homes will be in addition to the 500 new council homes that the Labour administration pledged in their election manifesto.
At the time it was explained that no sites have been confirmed as yet but it is anticipated the first raft will be built on housing association land.
Compare this with the reality that I have no hesitation in repeating;
“The number of affordable homes being delivered is declining with only two, yes two, in the first six months of our new administration and only 66 units are expected to be built during the whole year compared with 244 homes last year.”
