Steve Double, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for St Austell and Newquay, has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May that a Conservative Government will offer to strike new deals with the most ambitious councils and housing associations, giving them funding, capacity support and new powers to build a new generation of homes for social rent.
Commenting, Steve said:
“Here in Mid-Cornwall there is a shortage of social housing with long waiting lists which means local people often struggle to find affordable accommodation that is right for them. This is a long-standing problem that needs to be addressed for the future of our young people.”
“In recent years, Cornwall Council has struggled to implement affordable housing policy for the good of the people of Cornwall, despite the Government allocating £5 million to Community Land Trusts from the second home levy specifically for Cornwall. However following the recent local election results I believe that a new Conservative-led Cornwall Council will enjoy much greater success.”
“With Theresa May’s bold new social housing strategy I look forward to working with the Conservatives in charge of Cornwall Council, should I be re-elected on 8th June, to realise this potential and get new social housing stock for those who need it here in Mid-Cornwall.”
“Under the deals, the Government would give councils and housing associations funding and make available house building capability from the Homes and Communities Agency. Councils would be able to assemble land, including derelict buildings or unused pocket sites, more easily under reformed compulsory purchase rules.”
“However, the vast majority of people have a desire to buy and own their own homes. Therefore, to help people realise this aim, the deals would require a proportion of the social homes built to be sold after ten to fifteen years, allowing increases in land and housing value to be reinvested in new social housing over time. The tenant would receive the first right to buy on the property at the point of sale.”
“I am pleased that Theresa May will address this issue that is so important to local people here in St Austell and Newquay. If I am re-elected as part of her team I can be an effective voice at the heart of government to ensure that our constituency benefits from these new plans.”