Housing Secretary vows to tackle homelessness and build 300,000 affordable homes

The Housing Secretary claims the Labour party will fight the “Tory blockers” and invest £1 billion to tackle homelessness.

Speaking at the Labour party conference, Steve Reed failed to mention the private rented sector once during his speech, but claimed the party would build 300,000 social and affordable homes.

During his speech, Mr Reed praised his predecessor, Angela Rayner, who resigned over failing to pay enough stamp duty, as a “true working-class hero”.

Breaking the cycle

With people in the audience, wearing build, baby, build hats, Mr Reed announced the government would invest £1 billion to tackle homelessness.

He told the conference: “Rough sleeping more than doubled under the Tories. They looked the other way while people were left shivering in shop doorways and underpasses.

“They just didn’t care. But we do. That’s why this government is investing nearly £1 billion of new funding to tackle and prevent the moral stain of homelessness.

“That money is being used right now to put a roof over the head of the most vulnerable children in our country. It’s breaking the cycle by helping councils act more quickly to stop households becoming homeless in the first place.”

He also announced the government would invest £39 billion to build 300,000 social and affordable homes.

The Labour party will fight the Tory blockers

During his speech, Mr Reed also reiterated Labour’s manifesto pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, saying the party would take on “Tory blockers.”

He said: “Everything we hope to achieve as a government is only possible if we get Britain building.

“The Tories spent 14 years blocking the homes that people need. They crushed the dreams of families who couldn’t afford a decent home. The Labour party will fight the Tory blockers and give working people the key to a decent home they can afford to live in.”

However, as previously reported by Property118, despite Mr Reed’s mantra of build, baby, build, he tried to block a housing development last year in his own constituency.

Build homes fit for families

Mr Reed also announced plans to “build homes fit for families,” with construction of three new towns scheduled to begin before the next election.

According to the BBC, in one of the three areas earmarked for development, many local residents remain unaware of key details, including how many new homes are planned.

David Sutton, chair of Tempsford Parish Council, which currently has about 600 residents living in some 300 houses, said villagers had been “kept in the dark” about the proposals.

He told the PA news agency: “Our biggest problem right now is that, even as today’s announcement is being made, we still have no idea of the scale of what we’re being asked to live alongside.”

You can watch the full speech below