Homes set to stay unaffordable under Labour

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 26th Oct 2007

Affordable housing

Liberal Democrats on Sheffield City Council have raised fears that homes will remain unaffordable for many in the city despite proposed new Government legislation. Lib Dems have revealed that new council plans agreed by Labour will still result in a shortfall of 500 affordable homes every year.

House prices in Sheffield over the last five years have shot up, whilst at the same time the number of council houses available has fallen. Many young families and other first time buyers in Sheffield can no longer afford to get on the housing ladder.

The council estimates that there is demand for around 800 new affordable homes every year. However, under new policies the council is only enabling 300 new affordable homes a year to be built leaving an annual shortfall of 500 homes. For the past few years the Labour run council has been overseeing less than 100 new affordable homes being built per year.

Lib Dems believe that the new Government proposals don't go far enough to allow councils to even come close to bridging the gap. However, the Labour Cabinet are set to approve a report today which welcomes the Government's housing draft paper.

Lib Dems in Sheffield are calling for the council to introduce tough new measures that require a greater number of new affordable homes as part of any housing development. Lib Dems also want stricter controls on the type of houses built, to encourage more family homes rather than small flats.

Cllr Bob McCann, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, said: -

"There is a severe lack of affordable homes in Sheffield which means that many local young families and other first time buyers cannot get on the housing ladder. However, under Labour's plan things are set to get worse."

"Even with the new proposals being brought forward there will still be an annual shortfall of around 500 affordable homes every year. This will only add to the pressure on the housing stock, which is already at crisis point due to a history of failing to deliver affordable homes."

"We believe that the council should introduce tough new unavoidable rules that require a greater proportion of affordable homes to be built as part of any housing development. We also want stricter controls to encourage more family homes rather than small flats. It's clear that real action is needed to stop the situation becoming any worse."