New junior housing minister Yvette Cooper has tackled her brief head-on in her maiden speech, winning her plaudits from the sector.
Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Harrogate last week, Cooper immediately picked up on key themes that have emerged over recent months.

These included the importance of the housing market to the economy and the connection to health and public services.

"Many of the problems are clear: inadequate housing supply, particularly in the South-east, and the impact of that on public services and the economy," she said. "There are improvements under way around families in bed-and-breakfasts, but the recent figures show the number of people becoming homeless and being accommodated by local authorities has continued to rise."

"The very fact that it is such a significant part of the debate on the five economic tests, the very fact that the Communities Plan is such an ambitious plan I think is recognising the importance of housing."

As reported in Housing Today (25 April, page 9), Cooper also announced a £2m fund to help five areas tackle poor private-sector landlords and disruptive tenants. The five areas are Bolton, Stoke-on-Trent, Hartlepool, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Source

Housing Today