Rental property 'must remain within poor families' means'

Property to rent in Surrey and other parts of the UK must remain within the means of poor families, it has been claimed.

Family Action is concerned that government and commercial spending cuts will result in a "drastic reduction" in the number of "new, affordable homes built".

Head of policy and campaigns at the charity Rhian Beynon explained that providing quality housing needs to be an "integral part of the government's strategy".

She said: "It is important that good quality, affordable housing is within the means of poorer families, many of whom currently live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions which can exacerbate depression and other mental health problems."

Ms Beynon's comments follow the publication of figures by the National Housing Federation, which indicate that plans for more than half a million affordable homes could be axed by the government in a future round of spending cuts.

Citing figures in the pre-Budget report, the organisation indicated that housing budgets could be cut by 17.98 per cent over the next decade.

Article Date: 25/01/2010