Shelter response to Margaret Hodge's comment on the allocation of social housing

Monday, 21, May 2007 12:00

In response to Margaret Hodge's comment on the allocation of social housing in the Observer "A message to my fellow immigrants" (20 May 2007), Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter, said:

"The failure to build new homes and the devastating impact of the Right to Buy leaves the small amount of social housing stock vulnerable to being exploited for political means.

"These comments perpetuate the myth that social homes are given to new immigrants coming to the UK at the expense of the indigenous population - when in fact homes are allocated by balancing what people are entitled to against immediate housing need.

"The real problem is the desperate shortage of social housing, which is why Gordon Brown must now deliver on his commitment last week to build more social homes to tackle the ever-deepening housing crisis."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Shelter is calling on the Government to build 20,000 extra social homes each year from 2008 - 11 to tackle Britain's housing crisis. We want Gordon Brown to commit the funding for these homes when he sets out his Comprehensive Spending Review later this year.

Shelter believes everyone should have a home. We help more than 170,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of Britain's housing crisis by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions. Bad housing robs children of their health, education and a fair chance in life.

Shelter's national housing helpline is supported by Bradford & Bingley and provides free housing advice on 0808 800 4444.

For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk