Austerity age 'can boost social housing'

THE head of regeneration firm Keepmoat said the new age of austerity could stimulate social housing provision as local authorities have more independence.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Sep 2010, 12:09 BST

Updated 14th Sep 2010, 12:09 BST

David Blunt, chief executive of the Doncaster business, won backing for his comments from the Local Government Association (LGA).

Writing in Keepmoat's monthly magazine, Mr Blunt said: "The new political era will bring about more autonomy to local government to provide regeneration solutions and address (the) pressing housing issues of local communities.

"In excess of 4.5 million people need social housing in the UK, including more than 600,000 families that are currently living in unsuitable and overcrowded accommodation and 57,000 families that local authorities across the UK classify as homeless."

Gary Porter, chairman of the LGA Housing and Environment Board, said: "It is right that decisions which shape our towns, cities and neighbourhoods should be taken locally, by the people who know them best."

Doncaster