Danczuk welcomes affordable homes for Rochdale

Date published: 07/08/2007

Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary candidate Simon Danczuk, has welcomed the Government’s proposals to build up to three million homes by 2020, as outlined in the launch of the Housing Green Paper.

The Housing Green Paper sets out plans to build more social housing and ensure that a decent home at an affordable price is no longer out of reach for thousands of hard working people.

Mr Danczuk said: "Many people have benefited from the rapid growth of the housing market by seeing their house value soar. But there are plenty who haven’t benefited from this bonanza and are struggling to buy a house of their own.

"I was lucky to be able to get on to the housing ladder at a young age and saw it as a right for all hard working people. Being able to make a home for your family is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences and I’m pleased that Gordon Brown has made it a priority to extend this experience to thousands of people who are currently struggling to get on to the housing ladder."

A total of £8billion is being poured into the scheme, which will be aided by further plans to unblock the planning system and release land for development so that homes can be built more quickly.

Mr Danczuk added that by creating more affordable and sustainable homes, Labour were also showing a commitment to meeting their target of ending child poverty by 2020.

He continued: "Getting people into safe, secure housing is the right basis for supporting vulnerable children and providing the platform for families to build better work prospects. There is a vital link between good housing and people’s wellbeing and we need to strengthen this."

He urged Rochdale Council to make the most of the Government’s housing opportunity stating: "Rochdale has a real shortage of suitable housing and it’s down to the Council to identify the right sites, and to work positively with the Government. I hope for the sake particularly of our young people that they are able to achieve this."