Programme seeks to provide better housing

I WISH to highlight my concerns about Karen Buck MP’s views regarding Westminster City Council’s housing policy.

Ms Buck claims the Conservatives will seek to increase rents to private sector levels, make all tenancies short-term “assured shorthold tenancies” in Westminster. Her claims are wrong and are a blatant example of her peddling misinformation.
 

The city council has no plans to increase current rents to private sector levels, no plans to replace any existing secured tenancies with short-term “assured shorthold tenancies” neither change the law so residents applying as homeless will have to accept private sector tenancies.
 

What the council has announced is a major housing renewal programme in Church Street, Brunel estate, Tollgate, Ebury Bridge and Westbourne Green.

The housing renewal programme will seek to bring major improvements in the identified areas, increase the supply of affordable homes and ensure families will no longer have to suffer overcrowding, create employment, education and training opportunities for all residents. The programme will not proceed if, following consultation with residents, the majority of residents do not support the final proposals.   

Ms Buck should get her facts correct, stop scaremongering and work with the council to ensure social housing tenants secure the best possible homes.