Preston Social Housing Roundtable

On 6th June, I held a roundtable discussion event for Social Housing providers in Preston and Preston City Council.

Representatives from social housing providers Places for People, Onward Housing, Great Places, Your Housing Group attended along with members of the Senior Leadership Team at Preston City Council, Adrian Phillips, Sarah Threlfall and leader Cllr Matthew Brown were in attendance.

I continue to receive a high volume of casework correspondence from constituents who are are waiting considerably for social housing or for a transfer into a suitable property.  The group discussed the social housing needs around Preston, some of the challenges faced by the sector and the local authority and practical ways to relieve the pressures of social housing demand.

During the Spending Review on 11th June, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the biggest cash injection into social and affordable housing in 50 years. She said: ‘A new affordable homes programme, in which I am investing £39 billion over the next decade. Direct government funding to support house building, especially for social rent. And I am pleased to report that towns and cities, including Blackpool, Preston, Sheffield and Swindon, have already had plans to bring forward bids to build those homes in their communities.’

I will continue to press for action on reducing waiting lists for social housing, particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable families and increased social housebuilding in the area.