Lib Dems will deliver biggest increase in social housing for 30 years - Stunell

Liberal Democrat Communities Minister Andrew Stunell has announced that Liberal Democrats in Government will deliver the biggest net increase in social housing for 30 years.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, Mr Stunell outlined Coalition plans to provide 150,000 affordable homes over the next four years.

Since 1979, both Labour and Conservative Governments presided over a reduction in the number of affordable homes, with each selling off more homes than they built. There were 400,000 fewer homes after the Tories' 18 years in power and a further 45,530 fewer after 13 years of Labour.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"Because of Liberal Democrat influence in Government, the Coalition will be able to increase the supply of affordable housing in this country.

"More social homes will be built this year than in any year under the last Labour Government.

"Times are tough and we need to learn how to do more with less in every aspect of Government policy, including social housing. But despite the difficult economic times, and unlike Thatcher and Blair, Liberal Democrats in Government will deliver an increase in affordable housing."

Notes:

1. The new housing plan will deliver a net increase in the affordable housing stock, and will reverse a 30 year downward trend under previous administrations.

2. Even Labour's new Leader, Ed Miliband, admits that Labour failed on social housing. In a pamphlet for the Fabian Society during the recent Leadership Election, he wrote "We [Labour] refused to prioritise the building of new social housing". Liberal Democrats in government are ensuring that this trend is reversed and that there will be an increase in affordable homes for the first time in 30 years.

3. During their 18 years in office, the Thatcher and Major Governments built 830,000 social homes, while selling off more than 1.2m homes, leading to a net reduction in social housing of 400,000 homes (Source: DCLG Table 244 - House building: permanent dwellings completed, by tenure, England, historical calendar year series).

When Major left office in 1997, his Government left 1,021,664 families on housing waiting lists.

4. During Labour's 13 years in power, 559,000 affordable homes were built, of which 377,000 were for rent and 182,000 were low cost home ownership. During this time Labour also sold 605,000 homes, leading to a net reduction in the social housing stock of 45,530. When you take in to account solely homes for social rent, the reduction is 227,000 (Source: DCLG: Table 1000 - Additional Affordable homes provided by type of scheme, England and Government Office Regions [by area where homes located]).

Housing waiting lists under Labour rose by 741,000 to 1,763,000 families.

Labour's housing subsidy for the construction of new social homes was £87,000. The Coalition's model only needs a subsidy of £35,000 per home, allowing us to do more with less.

5. The Coalition's housing proposals will see 150,000 new homes built over the four year CSR period, with projected sales of 24,000 homes. This means that the projected increase in homes in the social sector at the end of this Parliament will be 125,000, the first such increase in 30 years.

The National Housing Federation has admitted that the Coalition's housing plans are achievable. They wrote in a recent briefing for MPs:

"Our modelling suggests that the Government's claim that up to 150,000 homes will be delivered over the four year period is achievable. If one in four new lettings across the sector (including non-developing associations) are made at 80% of market rent, approximately £190m a year of additional rental income could be generated. Our modelling results estimate that using these funds to support investment in new homes alongside the £4.5bn grant programme could produce the number of homes suggested by the Government."