Quality affordable housing 'needs to be integral to government strategy'

Posted: 26 Jan 2010 10:23:29 GMT

The provision of high quality and low-cost housing needs to be integral to the government's strategy to tackle child poverty, one expert has advised.

"It is important that good quality, affordable housing is within the means of poorer families," says Rhian Benyon, head of policy and campaigns at UK charity Family Action.

Her comments come after the recent announcement by the National Housing Federation that the government could axe plans to build more than half a million affordable homes.

Figures set out in the government's pre-Budget report suggest that the UK housing budget will be cut by nearly 18 per cent over the coming decade.

Additionally, this would lead to the loss of 278,000 jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry.

Ms Benyon says that poor housing can exacerbate depression and is linked to higher crime rates, poor health and low educational attainment.

The government Homes for the Future Report in July 2007 pledged to build 240,000 additional affordable houses each year in response to growing demand.

© Houseladder Ltd