HOUSING

Early day motion 1026, tabled 19 March 2002 by Peter Pike (Labour). Signed by 111 members.

That this House notes the problems caused by dysfunctional housing markets across the country; is aware that such dysfunction can occur for many reasons, including very low housing demand, a lack of suitable housing to meet local needs, or very high housing demand; realises that these problems occur in private, public and not-for-profit sector housing, and in major cities, towns and rural settlements; understands that housing market failure can lead to low property values, rising numbers of empty homes, increased market failure can lead to low property values, rising numbers of empty homes, increased movement of economically active residents away from the area, influxes of rogue landlords and general neighbourhood decline; is concerned that this decline will only exacerbate the social, health and economic inequalities already experienced by affected communities; and calls the Government's attention to the National Housing Federation's submission to the Spending Review, in collaboration with the Key Cities Housing Group and the Northern Housing Forums, proposing a housing market renewal fund which, through cross-boundary working, positive planning, land assembly, clearance and stock swaps, seeks to rebuild confidence across all sectors, improve land values and create a sense of ownership.

Signatures by party: Labour 78, Liberal Democrat 21, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.