Horsham Labour Party took part in a cross-party meeting to discuss affordable housing in the area.The party's chair, David Hide, wrote about the meeting in this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed in today's edition of the paper.
Horsham Labour Party was pleased to take part in a cross party meeting mentioned by Andrew Baldwin (letter, August 15) to discuss the urgent need to address the affordable housing crisis across this district.
At this meeting we were able to suggest ways that Horsham district council could take advantage of the new opportunities available to deliver more affordable homes, and thereby improve what is on the face of it a poor record to date of delivering affordable housing.
Mr. Baldwin mentioned at the meeting, as he does in his letter, the difficulties that arise from the current economic climate.
However the present downturn in the private housing market is seen by many involved in the social housing sector as an opportunity to increase the levels of much needed affordable homes.
Developers across the country are keen to work with both councils and housing associations and are offering ready built homes, that are difficult to sell on the private market, directly to housing associations.
In addition, the government has set ambitious delivery targets to address the present shortage of affordable housing and has offered local authorities a range of measure that will enable them to increase their role in delivering homes.
More money has been made available by the government in the form of Housing Corporation grant and and councils will be able to apply directly for those grants. This new proposal could herald a new era of council house building which does not rely on private developers.
Councils across the country are busy looking into this opportunity and we urged Horsham council at the meeting to do likewise.
In our submission to the council's housing consultation we stressed the need to increase the level of affordable homes to 50 per cent on all developments irrespective of their size.
While the council has increased its threshold, we feel that it needs to do more, if it is committed to providing homes for local people.
The council states that its threshold is higher than the government guideline. This is true, but the government suggests the national minimum level and then provides local councils with the opportunity to amend the figure to reflect local need.
Based on the council's own findings from its initial report on housing need, we have proposed that the council must amend its figure upwards to 50 per cent of all new builds, as the current strategy is clearly failing.
A fresh approach is needed if the council is to address past poor performance. We welcome Mr. Baldwin's first steps with the invitation for all political parties to be involved in the discussion.
But if we are to really make a difference we need to look for opportunities and take positive steps towards significant levels of provision. This will involve working locally, at county council level and with the government.
Mr. Baldwin has undertaken to use his influence with his county council colleagues and will continue to use our influence with ministers to get the best results from government policy for Horsham.
If the council can rise to the challenge of this approach and in addition engage the local registered social landlords in the area, we can and will make significant progress.
David Hide
Chair
Horsham Labour Party