The Swindon Labour Group Leader, Councillor Jim Grant, has condemned the number of affordable homes that have been built in Swindon since the Coalition Government has taken power in May 2010. Last year had the lowest number of affordable homes built in Swindon for the last 6 years. And Councillor Grant has been informed by Council Housing Officers that the Council currently expects there to be fewer affordable homes built in Swindon in this financial year, with only 116 currently expected to be completed.
The Swindon Labour Group Leader, Councillor Jim Grant, has condemned the number of affordable homes that have been built in Swindon since the Coalition Government has taken power in May 2010. Last year had the lowest number of affordable homes built in Swindon for the last 6 years. And Councillor Grant has been informed by Council Housing Officers that the Council currently expects there to be fewer affordable homes built in Swindon in this financial year, with only 116 currently expected to be completed.
The table below was produced by Council officers and provided to the Swindon Labour Group.
The Labour Group Leader, Councillor Jim Grant, said:
“These figures are a damning indictment of a government and a local council who have failed to understand the importance of building more affordable homes. What these figures show is that affordable homes completions in Swindon under the present government has been cut in half compared to the last three years of the previous government.
Building more affordable homes not only provides an obvious social benefit through housing more people on low incomes but it also creates jobs and is a great way to boost economic growth.
For me, what is most galling about these figures is that the government say they want to reduce the housing benefit bill and are making many social housing tenants suffer to do this. And yet they are cutting back on best way they can reduce the housing benefit bill, which is to build more affordable homes
With these figures being announced I hope all parties in Swindon can get-together and develop a housing strategy that will build more affordable homes in Swindon. And I hope the positive comments that have been made in Westminster about building more affordable homes, will turn in to action.”
Cllr Jim Grant
Swindon Labour Group Leader
|
Overview of AH delivered in Swindon |
|||||
|
|
Social Rent |
Intermediate (inc. LCHO, shared equity, intermediate rent) |
Affordable Rent |
TOTAL Social or Affordable Rented Homes delivered |
TOTAL AH delivered |
|
2007/08 |
172 |
239 |
|
172 |
411 |
|
2008/09 |
203 |
125 |
|
203 |
328 |
|
2009/10 |
272 |
123 |
|
272 |
395 |
|
2010/11 |
131 |
50 |
|
131 |
181 |
|
2011/12 |
166 |
143 |
|
166 |
309 |
|
2012-2013 |
38 |
76 |
41 |
79 |
163 |