ROBERT Halfon has welcomed the Government’s investment in social housing. £1.67 billion was announced as part of the boost to social housing across England. Around 23,000 new affordable homes will be delivered, including at least 12,500 social rent homes in high cost areas in a move to support families struggling to pay their rent.

In Harlow, average council house rents have reduced to just over £91 per week whilst private sector rents have risen to more than twice that. The new investment will go to towns outside of London where private sector rents are more than £50 higher per week than public sector rents. This makes Harlow a prime candidate for new social housing investment.

The funding comes on top of the £260,500 investment that Harlow Council will receive to support its work on rough sleeping, announced earlier this month.

The social housing funding announcement also coincides with Robert’s letter to the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. In the letter, Robert asked the Minister what the government is doing to ensure that a sufficient number of houses are built to supply the increasing demand.

In his letter, Robert explained:

“Homelessness is rising, and house prices and rents are moving beyond affordability. Grown-up children are spending more time living at home, and people are renting for longer, as they find it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder… Despite the news coverage, this isn’t just a problem for young people. Increasing difficulty to get on the housing ladder means that fewer and fewer middle-aged tenants will be able to afford a mortgage.”

Following the announcement, Robert Halfon said:

“I really welcome this huge government investment in social housing. The funding could reduce the cost of living for so many Harlow families. It will boost the social housing stock so that more hardworking Harlow people will be able to live comfortably and safely in suitable homes.

More and more people are moving into the private rented sector. With private rents almost double that of rent for social housing in Harlow, it’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure that families are able to afford to live in a comfortable home and put food on the table.

I work hard everyday for Harlow residents. I made my thoughts on the housing crisis very clear in my letter to the Housing Secretary and I’ve worked closely with Streets2Homes over the years. I’m incredibly pleased to see that the Government is listening. This investment will help to build an even better Harlow and to cut the cost of living for hardworking Harlow families.”