CEO backs call to end housing crisis

Aileen Evans, Chief Executive of Grand Union Housing Group and President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), has called on the housing sector to rally behind the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) bid to fix the housing crisis for good.

Ahead of the General Election on 12 December, the NHF is calling for the next government to work alongside the housing sector to achieve their aim, by committing to five housing priorities.

These are:

  • Building new social housing.
  • Making sure everyone can feel safe in their home.
  • Investing in places to bring the country together.
  • Delivering a new deal for social housing with residents at the heart.
  • Developing a fair and effective support and welfare system.

Aileen said: “We are in the midst of a housing emergency in this country and it’s time we acted to solve it.

“Our role as housing providers is to give people a home they can call their own, where they can put down roots and thrive. To help us achieve this, the next government has to work with us and make this a real priority.”

The sector is calling for the next government to invest £12.8bn in new social housing every year for a decade. This would unlock tens of thousands of new social homes across the country, as well as supporting the economy and lowering the benefit bill.

Homes for sale or rent in the east of England have become increasingly out of reach for local people. That is why housing associations across the region are stepping up to deliver new homes. Grand Union is no different, building a record number of homes last year and doubling its build programme for the next five years.

To find out more about the NHF’s priorities for the next government, visit www.housing.org.uk

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