Shapps: Social housing is ripe for reform

Monday, 22 November 2010 12:00 AM

Housing minister Grant Shapps speaks ahead of his announcement of radical changes to government policy on social housing:

"For far too long in this country there has been a lazy consensus about the use of social housing, which has left one of our most valuable resources trapped in a system that helps far fewer people than it should. This out-of-date approach has seen waiting lists rocket and is unfair to people who genuinely need social homes.

"They trap existing tenants in poverty, often in homes that aren't suitable for them.

"So the current system is ripe for reform, and the changes we're bringing in will ensure that from now on our social housing helps as many people as possible. The new system will protect the most vulnerable in society, ensuring those in greatest housing need are given priority.

"It will also be more flexible, with councils and housing associations able to offer fixed tenancies that give people the helping hand they need, when they need it. But above all it will be fairer - councils will now be able to make decisions that genuinely meet the needs of local people, and the changes will not any affect any existing tenants."

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