New research from the charity Shelter has called Ealing a ‘housing blackspot’, calculating it would be impossible for an average working family to afford to buy their first home in the area.
Dr Rupa Huq – Labour’s candidate to be next MP for Ealing Central and Acton -; responded by calling the situation a disaster for families and young people who are desperate to get on the housing ladder.
Dr Huq, who lives in South Ealing, said:
“It’s clear from Shelter’s findings that Londoners are facing the biggest housing crisis in a generation. This is particularly acute in Ealing where only Labour is working to sort this out.”
“Ealing’s Labour council is building 500 new affordable homes across the borough over the next four years as part of a major building initiative to help tackle London’s housing crisis. A Labour government would supplement this by building 200,000 new homes across the country every year.
Dr Huq added: “After almost five years the Tory-led Government has failed to provide the numbers of affordable homes needed, while I’ve seen first-hand how prices and rents are spiralling out of control down my road and in local neighbourhoods.”
“This is a disaster for families and young people who are working hard and are desperate to get on the housing ladder. The Government must act now so that councils can build the homes our families so desperate need. A secure and affordable home is the least they deserve.”
Last month Labour leader Ed Miliband came to Ealing and discussed with Dr Rupa Huq and local residents how the lack of affordable housing was creating a nightmare for renters.
By contrast, Conservative MP Angie Bray last week failed to offer any support to renters in Ealing, saying in a speech that
“agent fees can be unpopular, but the agents are operating in the free market and will be paid for their service.”
Dr Huq responded saying:
“I’m disappointed that Angie Bray has failed to stand up to letting fees that cost the average family in the constituency some £450, sometimes more.
“Like Cameron’s tax cut for those on £150k incomes this shows which side the Tories are on regarding the cost of living issues that affect the voters of Ealing Central and Acton.
“A whole generation is being denied a decent home of their own. Labour would change that by building more homes, capping rent increases and ending rip off letting agent fees.”
NOTES
Shelter’s full analysis can be found here: http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns/campaign_stories/england_in_grip_of_affordable_home_drought,_says_shelter
Bray Commons speech on Private Rented Sector: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140625/debtext/140625-0002.htm#14062534000975