Greens Highlight Housing Backlog

The Green Party has today called for urgent investment in social housing to tackle the lack of affordable homes in Cornwall.

The call comes in response to a new report by the housing charity, Shelter, which analyses the gap between social housing need and provision in local authorities across England. The report reveals that, on current trends, it would take Cornwall more than eleven years to clear the backlog on its housing waiting list.

Cornwall’s backlog is within the worst 25% of all English local authorities, a reflection of the persistently high pressures on housing in the region.

St Ives parliamentary candidate Tim Andrewes commented: ‘Shelter’s research demonstrates just what an uphill task faces us in Cornwall if local housing needs are to be met. The Green Party supports calls for more investment in social housing. The money spent would not only help provide much needed homes, but would also stimulate the construction industry in this time of recession.’

The Green Party is highlighting the housing issue as part of its campaign to promote its policies on social issues and fairness. In the run-up to last autumn’s Pre-Budget Report, the Party called for a £6 billion programme of council house building, along with initiatives to bring empty homes back into use and support housing co-operatives.ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Tim Andrewes 01736 795387 or 07815 441490

Tamsyn Williams 01736 795695

The figures for Cornwall have been aggregated from the district totals.

Details of the Shelter report can be seen at:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/news/december_2009/over_10_years_to_clear_waiting_lists