Sarah Di Caprio speaks out on affordable housing crisis (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Sarah Di Caprio speaks out on affordable housing crisis

March 8, 2007 12:00 AM

Sarah Di Caprio speaks on affordable hosuing at Conference

Sarah Di Caprio highlights affordable housing crisis at Lib Dem Conference

Sarah Di Caprio, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for South West Surrey, made her maiden speech at the party's Spring Conference in Harrogate last weekend, drawing attention to the problems faced by Waverley in providing affordable housing.

Sarah spoke in the 'Green & Prosperous Communities' debate about regenerating communities, praising the party's suggestion that Government should increase councils' powers, giving them the freedom to raise and spend revenue locally. "That's the key. Government needs to give councils the tools to achieve regeneration, not shackle them as they do now.

"In South West Surrey, Lib Dem run Waverley Borough council has achieved good levels of affordable housing in the four years since it took control from the Tories. But in Council housing, the Right to Buy has left an inbalance in housing stock - down 3,500 across Waverley to around 5,000 homes," she said. "The Government takes three-quarters of the capital receipt from Right to Buy, leaving the council with a quarter to spend on upgrading existing properties rather than building new homes."

Sarah also highlighted the way in which the Government took a huge proportion of council rents. "Of the £21 million coming into Waverley's coffers this year, the government will take over eight and a half million, and next year that figure will rise to nearly nine and a half million.

"Council houses by their very definition form vital accommodation for those who need it, who are unable through their financial circumstances, to go for private housing."

Sarah also talked about being contacted by two local residents in Waverley, who were having problems with getting the right accommodation. "We're not talking here about middle class families who'd like to upgrade to a 4 bed detached by selling their 3 bed semi. No, these are people in real need," said Sarah. "Giving councils the power and the freedom to control these situations will form the bedrock of regeneration and all that comes from that."