Shocking figures reveal the scale of the housing crisis in Haringey
Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show there are currently 8,290 families on the waiting list for council homes in the Labour-run Haringey. Official figures also show there are 732 homes in the Labour borough that have been empty for over six months.
The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to address the housing shortage in Haringey and across the country, they have also promised to build more affordable homes.
The Liberal Democrats would:
- Introduce a legal requirement for smaller housing developments to include affordable homes#Make it easier for local councils and housing associations to borrow money to build homes
- Set up a new government-backed Housing and Infrastructure Development Bank
- Allow councils to increase council tax on empty homes by up to 200%
- Give councils powers to impose penalties on developers who leave plots of land empty for over 3 years, to tackle so-called land-banking
Dawn Barnes, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hornsey & Wood Green, commented:
“Thousands of families in Haringey are struggling to find a decent and affordable place to call home whilst 732 homes in the borough are sitting empty.
“The Labour-run council has been too accommodating to property developers and has not pushed hard enough for more affordable homes. Labour are also failing to bring enough empty homes back into use.
“The Lib Dems have radical plans to fix the housing crisis and make sure people in Haringey can find an affordable home.
"A Conservative landslide would allow the government to take people for granted, meaning years more soaring rents and failure to build enough affordable housing. A better future is possible. Vote Liberal Democrat and we can change Britain's future and build the affordable homes Haringey needs."
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