Housing cuts increases demand for 'quality rentals'

Landlords could be set for an influx of new tenants over the next few years, with the government believed to be on the verge of cutting funding for thousands of new homes.

The National Housing Federation has warned that there needs to be more effort from ministers to provide poorer families with better housing, rather than making cuts.

Chief executive of the federation David Orr admitted that he is concerned that large numbers of families would be forced to live in cramped, unsuitable conditions for a generation, if there is no alternative, cheap houses for rent in Banstead and other areas available.

He explained: "As bad housing is closely linked to poor health, poor educational attainment and higher crime rates, ministers should give funding for the house building programme the same untouchable status as health, education and policing."

The federation has suggested that spending cuts implied in the pre-Budget report could result in more than half a million new affordable homes being scrapped from plans over the next decade.

There concerns have been echoed by the head of policy and campaigns at Family Action Rhian Beynon, earlier this week.

Article Date: 26/01/2010