Urgent action needed on affordable housing - Bates

Release/Rhyddhau: 30/04/07

Contact/Cyswllt: Mick Bates
029 2089 8342/ 01686 625527/ mick.bates@wales.gov.uk 

Montgomeryshire AM, Mick Bates has called for more to be done to solve the affordable housing crisis.

Speaking from the campaign trail in Welshpool today, Mick said:

"For the last few years I have been the Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson on housing.  The reason I took the job was simple - I have seen too many people in Montgomeryshire priced out of the housing market.  It's time something was done about it.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a housing policy that really helps people.  A housing policy that means a lot more than mere words.  A housing policy that will help make the dream of an affordable home for so many a reality.

"It includes measures to suspend the Right-to-by in areas where the affordable housing crisis is at it's worst.  It includes measures to extend and simplify the Home-by scheme and promote community land trusts, giving people the opportunity to get their leg on the first run of the housing ladder.  It includes measures to eradicate homelessness.  It also includes measures to make sure people with specific needs get housing to suit their needs. 

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats take housing seriously.  So seriously that we would increase the housing budget in Wales by £150 million.

"We need to take real and urgent action to help solve the affordable housing crisis.  I want to help achieve this goal.  The Welsh liberal Democrats want to achieve this goal."

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