Forum Topic

Prospective MPs comment on "chronic lack of affordable homes"

Did anyone else read this piece? http://www.shepherdsbushw12.com/default.asp?section=info&page=generalelection005.htmHave I missed something or is Shaun Bailey nuts to say that building more council housing won't reduce the waiting list? Of course it will. We didn't have the waiting list problem like this before council housing was sold off under the blessed Thatcher. And we wouldn't have it now if his mates on H&F Council would build more council homes rather than try and ship council tenants out of the borough.And I'm sorry but Bailey has a damn cheek to say living in council housing means living "in dependency". My father lived in a council flat and he worked all his life. I get a bit tired of Bailey acting as though his life applies to everyone.

Ben Coleman ● 5500d3 Comments

There has always been and will always be, a need for social housing.  Rents are way out of most people's price range and let's face it, the majority of people cannot afford to buy nowadays. If rents are put up to fit in with average prices, then most people will have to have more money from the State to be able to afford these rents.  If there is not enough social housing people will have to squat or go back to living in caves.  Perhaps those who are better off would be happy with - out of sight out of mind!!

Tina Pemberton ● 5492d

Yes, you're right, of course. I was responding to Shaun Bailey's confusion of the two.Many people's wages are too low for them to afford private rents. We should also not tag everyone who gets benefits as "living off the state" or being part of the "dependency culture": for example, a family that gets financial support with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child.For all these people, we need council housing. And since the stock has been depleted, we need to build it up again. It is bizarre that Shaun Bailey is arguing against this. It is also plain silly for him to say it wouldn't reduce waiting lists.

Ben Coleman ● 5497d

Does this not confuse living in council accomodation with "living off the state" which are not necessarily one and the same. Many people pay rent to the council as tentants, working so to do. Others are provided with housing benefit, so to do. Different, and still layers of complexity within those two groups.

Vivienne James ● 5497d