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Make use of empty homes - Tories Make use of empty homes - Tories
(about 2 hours later)
The Conservatives say thousands of empty properties across the UK could be used to house those "languishing" on waiting lists for affordable homes.The Conservatives say thousands of empty properties across the UK could be used to house those "languishing" on waiting lists for affordable homes.
An estimated 4.5 million people are waiting for social housing, a figure the Tories say is "unacceptable" and likely to rise as the economy weakens. An estimated 4.5 million people are waiting for social housing, a figure the Tories say is "unacceptable".
Existing regulations on building design should be relaxed to allow unoccupied properties to be used, they argue.Existing regulations on building design should be relaxed to allow unoccupied properties to be used, they argue.
The Tories opposed past plans to help councils renovate homes, Labour said. Labour said the Tories opposed past plans to maintain council homes and the Lib Dems said they were "out of touch".
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the Tories had voted against the 2006 Empty Dwelling Management Scheme which authorised councils to step in and maintain a private property if it was unoccupied for six months.Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the Tories had voted against the 2006 Empty Dwelling Management Scheme which authorised councils to step in and maintain a private property if it was unoccupied for six months.
Housing shortageHousing shortage
The Tories said Friday's announcement on exploiting existing housing stock was one of many measures required on housing if current problems were to be sorted out. The Tories said Friday's announcement on exploiting existing housing stock was one of many measures required on housing if current shortages of suitable homes were to be sorted out.
Government figures show that the number of new social homes for rent coming on stream every year has halved since 1997, the Tories say.Government figures show that the number of new social homes for rent coming on stream every year has halved since 1997, the Tories say.
The recession has forced developers to scale back affordable housing projects and the sharp growth in repossessions over the last year has made the lack of low-cost public housing even more critical, they add.The recession has forced developers to scale back affordable housing projects and the sharp growth in repossessions over the last year has made the lack of low-cost public housing even more critical, they add.
It would be extremely fast compared to getting planning permission for new homes Grant Shapps, Conservative housing spokesmanIt would be extremely fast compared to getting planning permission for new homes Grant Shapps, Conservative housing spokesman
But the party says the government's attempts to fill the gap by buying up homes from developers, under a scheme known as the National Clearing House - have failed to have much impact. But the party says the government's attempts to fill the gap by buying up homes from developers, under a scheme known as the National Clearing House, have failed to have much impact.
To tackle this shortage, shadow housing minister Grant Shapps proposes making use of the large number of properties across the UK which he says are lying idle.To tackle this shortage, shadow housing minister Grant Shapps proposes making use of the large number of properties across the UK which he says are lying idle.
An estimated 943,000 properties are currently unoccupied, a situation which the Conservatives blame on failures in the planning system during the boom years which encouraged developers to build flats in city centres. An estimated 943,000 properties are currently unoccupied, a situation which the Conservatives blame on failures in the planning system during the boom years which encouraged developers to build too many flats in city centres.
Although some of these properties are currently the subject of repossession orders or other legal disputes, thousands could be brought back to the market relatively easily and quickly.Although some of these properties are currently the subject of repossession orders or other legal disputes, thousands could be brought back to the market relatively easily and quickly.
To allow this, the Conservatives say existing rules governing the size of properties, their suitability for certain kinds of users and what facilities they offer should be temporarily eased.To allow this, the Conservatives say existing rules governing the size of properties, their suitability for certain kinds of users and what facilities they offer should be temporarily eased.
The current requirement for properties to comply with codes on sustainability - in terms of the materials they use and the impact on the external environment - should also be suspended.The current requirement for properties to comply with codes on sustainability - in terms of the materials they use and the impact on the external environment - should also be suspended.
However, all will benefit from significant investment to make them more energy efficient.
"Some of the rules and regulations in this area are needlessly restrictive," said Mr Shapps."Some of the rules and regulations in this area are needlessly restrictive," said Mr Shapps.
"Whether there is an extra large door or a shower downstairs are of limited importance.""Whether there is an extra large door or a shower downstairs are of limited importance."
More flexibilityMore flexibility
Housing associations should think more flexibly about the tenancy arrangements they offer, Mr Shapps adds, to capitalise on the availability of the housing stock.Housing associations should think more flexibly about the tenancy arrangements they offer, Mr Shapps adds, to capitalise on the availability of the housing stock.
Local authorities should also be given more freedom to match people with suitable properties, not just awarding the first property available the person on top of the waiting list. They should also be given more freedom to match people with suitable properties, not just awarding the first property available to the person on top of the waiting list.
The Conservatives accept some of properties in question will require investment in order to make them habitable.The Conservatives accept some of properties in question will require investment in order to make them habitable.
They have no idea of what it is like for a family living in a social home Sarah Teather, Lib Dems
However, they say that the funding for this is available within existing government budgets for new social homes which is currently not being spent.However, they say that the funding for this is available within existing government budgets for new social homes which is currently not being spent.
Mr Shapps said it was clear that this would not "eradicate" the waiting list for social housing but that it would be a start, adding that the sole focus on building new homes was a "mistake".Mr Shapps said it was clear that this would not "eradicate" the waiting list for social housing but that it would be a start, adding that the sole focus on building new homes was a "mistake".
"It would be extremely fast compared to getting planning permission for new homes," he said of the proposal."It would be extremely fast compared to getting planning permission for new homes," he said of the proposal.
"We could realistically see people being housed within two or three months which would be fantastic.""We could realistically see people being housed within two or three months which would be fantastic."
'No credibility'
Labour said the proposals represented a "welcome conversion" by the Conservatives to the need to prevent empty housing falling into disuse and disrepair.Labour said the proposals represented a "welcome conversion" by the Conservatives to the need to prevent empty housing falling into disuse and disrepair.
"While Tory MPs around the country oppose the building of new affordable housing in their constituencies, they can have no credibility on meeting Britain's urgent housing needs," Ms Blears added, arguing that the Conservatives proposed to cut local government funding."While Tory MPs around the country oppose the building of new affordable housing in their constituencies, they can have no credibility on meeting Britain's urgent housing needs," Ms Blears added, arguing that the Conservatives proposed to cut local government funding.
Amid concerns that ministers' house building targets will be scuppered by the economic downturn, Labour is looking at plans for financial incentives for councils to build affordable homes. By relaxing design and environmental regulations, the Lib Dems said people would be "condemned to living in cramped and drafty homes for 15 to 20 years as they wait to be rehoused".
Gordon Brown said last month councils should be able to borrow against their assets to fund a new wave of home building and keep returns for rental agreements and future home sales. "This just shows how out of touch the Tories are," said the party's housing spokesperson Sarah Teather. "They have no idea of what it is like for a family living in a social home."
Housing groups gave the proposals a "cautious" welcome but warned against any lowering of quality standards.
"With such acute housing need in much of the country, no-one wants to see homes lying empty," said David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations in England.
"Many housing associations would be interested in new opportunities to renovate and manage these homes."