Brighton and Hove Labour pledges to build more council housing
Leading Labour politicians in Brighton and Hove have promised to build more council housing if they win the elections in May.
The pledge was one of five housing promises spelt out by the Brighton and Hove Labour Party yesterday (Monday 26 January).
They are intended to “tackle the critical housing situation in Brighton and Hove”.
Councillor Warren Morgan and the party’s two parliamentary candidates in Brighton, Purna Sen and Nancy Platts set out their aims alongside Emma Reynolds, the Shadow Housing Minister.
They described their policies as a five-point action plan. They said
- We will prioritise building new affordable housing and stimulate building of new affordable homes.
- We aim to directly provide more council housing by building at least 500 council houses.
- We want to secure 40 per cent affordable homes in new housing developments and deliver family housing as part of the affordable housing requirement.
- We will consult on introducing a register of landlords to protect tenants and raise standards in the private rented sector. A licence will be used, where needed, to tackle anti-social behaviour in areas of HMOs.
- We will support the national Labour Party’s promise to promote secure three-year tenancies and eradicate rip-off letting agent fees.
Councillor Warren Morgan, the Labour leader in Brighton and Hove, said: “Delivering a secure and affordable place to live for our residents is one of the big challenges we face in May if elected to run the city.
“It’s a challenge we are up for – delivering more new homes, making the private rented sector work for tenants, delivering real affordability to those who need it.”
Councillor Warren Morgan, Purna Sen, Emma Reynolds and Nancy Platts
Purna Sen, Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Brighton Pavilion, said: “Having met so many private tenants living in appalling conditions and financial hardship in our city, I am clear that Labour plans for more secure tenancies, predictable rents and an end to up-front fees are vital.
“And Labour is already in discussion at the national level with professional associations to make sure those proposals become practical policies.”
Nancy Platts, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown, said: “Many people living in rented accommodation are fed up with the poor standards of maintenance and insecure rental agreements.
“I have been inside some properties where there is mould growing on the ceiling and badly fitting windows but people are worried about asking for repairs for fear of being evicted.
“Everyone is entitled to a warm and secure home and that is what I will campaign for if I am elected.”
