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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/26/government-ignoring-social-housing-needs-in-northern-england
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| Northern areas far less likely to have access to funding for social housing | Northern areas far less likely to have access to funding for social housing |
| (21 days later) | |
| Just 15% of local authorities in the north of England have been given access to new government funding to build council homes, compared with 88% of those in the south, excluding London. | Just 15% of local authorities in the north of England have been given access to new government funding to build council homes, compared with 88% of those in the south, excluding London. |
| The government announced on Tuesday which councils would be eligible to apply for a share of the £1.67bn in additional money for housing that was unveiled in last year’s autumn budget. | The government announced on Tuesday which councils would be eligible to apply for a share of the £1.67bn in additional money for housing that was unveiled in last year’s autumn budget. |
| As part of the scheme, London - where housing policy is a devolved matter - will automatically be awarded £1.67bn to build new council houses. A further £1.67bn will be available for certain other locals authorities to bid for, including 91 out of 104 council areas in the south and only 11 out of 72 councils in the north of England. | As part of the scheme, London - where housing policy is a devolved matter - will automatically be awarded £1.67bn to build new council houses. A further £1.67bn will be available for certain other locals authorities to bid for, including 91 out of 104 council areas in the south and only 11 out of 72 councils in the north of England. |
| There are 118,162 more people on council housing lists in the north of England than in the south outside London. There are currently 376,297 people waiting for social housing in the north of England – including the north-east, north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber – compared with 258,135 in the south-west and south-east. There are 243,668 people on waiting lists in London. | There are 118,162 more people on council housing lists in the north of England than in the south outside London. There are currently 376,297 people waiting for social housing in the north of England – including the north-east, north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber – compared with 258,135 in the south-west and south-east. There are 243,668 people on waiting lists in London. |
| The list of local authorities eligible to apply for the money is based on a formula designed to determine which areas have the biggest housing shortage. The government defines areas of “high housing pressure” as those where there is a difference of £50 or more per week between average social and private rents. | The list of local authorities eligible to apply for the money is based on a formula designed to determine which areas have the biggest housing shortage. The government defines areas of “high housing pressure” as those where there is a difference of £50 or more per week between average social and private rents. |
| The shadow housing secretary, John Healey, said ministers were turning a blind eye to housing need in the north of England. “All parts of the country want new affordable homes and all areas have long council waiting lists, but these figures show the north is being ignored by this Conservative government,” he said. | The shadow housing secretary, John Healey, said ministers were turning a blind eye to housing need in the north of England. “All parts of the country want new affordable homes and all areas have long council waiting lists, but these figures show the north is being ignored by this Conservative government,” he said. |
| Social housing is a vanishing option for families who cannot afford to buy | Social housing is a vanishing option for families who cannot afford to buy |
| “Everyone knows someone who needs a decent, affordable home whether it’s young people who want to get a place of their own, or older people looking to downsize. Labour would let all councils, in all parts of the country, build again by fully lifting the government’s cap on council house building.” | “Everyone knows someone who needs a decent, affordable home whether it’s young people who want to get a place of their own, or older people looking to downsize. Labour would let all councils, in all parts of the country, build again by fully lifting the government’s cap on council house building.” |
| Of the 165 local authorities deemed by the government to be areas of “high housing pressure”, the highest number – 63 – is in the south-east, where 150,352 are on council house waiting lists. | Of the 165 local authorities deemed by the government to be areas of “high housing pressure”, the highest number – 63 – is in the south-east, where 150,352 are on council house waiting lists. |
| In comparison, only seven councils in the north-west have been invited to apply for the funds even though 180,780 people are on waiting lists for council houses in the region – the highest number of any area outside London. | In comparison, only seven councils in the north-west have been invited to apply for the funds even though 180,780 people are on waiting lists for council houses in the region – the highest number of any area outside London. |
| Of the other areas of England eligible for the fund, 40 are in the east of England, 28 are in the south-west, 12 are in the west Midlands and 11 in the east Midlands. | Of the other areas of England eligible for the fund, 40 are in the east of England, 28 are in the south-west, 12 are in the west Midlands and 11 in the east Midlands. |
| Only three local authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber – where there are 144,681 people waiting for council homes – have been permitted to apply for the money. Newcastle is the only local authority in the north-east England region to be listed. | Only three local authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber – where there are 144,681 people waiting for council homes – have been permitted to apply for the money. Newcastle is the only local authority in the north-east England region to be listed. |
| A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “We have been clear that we would provide extra borrowing in high-cost areas, which will ease the burden of rent on hard working families.” | A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “We have been clear that we would provide extra borrowing in high-cost areas, which will ease the burden of rent on hard working families.” |
| “This funding is just one of a number of measures we are bringing forward to the deliver the homes this country needs, which includes the £9bn we are investing in affordable properties and our proposed new planning rules to ensure these.” | “This funding is just one of a number of measures we are bringing forward to the deliver the homes this country needs, which includes the £9bn we are investing in affordable properties and our proposed new planning rules to ensure these.” |
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