MP MATT Western is spearheading a parliamentary group calling for more council housing.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Council Housing has launched an inquiry into the current and future demands on council homes.
The inquiry was officially launched on July 23 at an event in parliament.
Speakers and attendees included parliamentarians, council tenants, councillors, trade unionists, housing campaigners and others with an interest in council housing.
The inquiry is asking for council tenants, councillors, housing campaigners, those on waiting lists, trade unionists, council employees and others to provide their views.
People can respond to the inquiry until October 16 by email to [email protected] or by post to Council Housing Inquiry c/o DCH PO Box 33519 London E2 9WW.
There will also be in-person evidence sessions.
The APPG is a group of MPs who are campaigning for more council houses to be built as part of a solution to the housing crisis, as well as representing council tenants in parliament.
There are currently 1.21 million households on local authority waiting lists. In the past ten years councils have only averaged building around 1,400 homes a year. During the height of council building, in the 1950s, councils built on average around 147,000 homes a year.
Mr Western, chair of the APPG for council housing, said: “Council housing is needed now more than ever. The government needs to provide leadership to get councils building at volume once again. Hopefully this inquiry can help inform the manifestos of all parties at the next general election to provide a step-change in delivering affordable homes in our country.”
Eileen Short of Defend Council Housing, an organisation based around council tenants, said: “It’s time to spell out the case for serious investment in new and existing council housing. Tenants and those on waiting lists, all have something to contribute by getting organised to make this case loud and clear. “
For more information visit https://mattwestern.org/news-article/appg-for-council-housing-inquiry/
