A new report from Shelter, the housing charity, says many North West families are making desperate sacrifices to keep a roof over their heads, including spending less on food, selling possessions and borrowing from friends and family.John Leech MP and the local Lib Dems are backing Shelters new 'Breaking Point' campaign, which calls on the government to end the housing crisis.
The plan also calls for mortgage lenders to use repossession only as a last resort, and provide more help and support to homeowners; and for more safeguards for tenants renting privately. Shelter say the Government should review property taxation to make the system fairer, including council tax, stamp duty, inheritance tax and capital gains tax.
John Leech MP said:"Everyone has the right to an affordable and decent place to call home. With many thousands of families in Manchester waiting for their own council house, repossessions soaring, and private sector rents rising, we need to do more to tackle the housing affordability crisis."I am working hard with Shelter to help the one in four families in the North West that are suffering from stress or depression due to today's housing costs.
Councillor Iain Donaldson, who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Housing in Manchester added:"As local Councillors we know from our advice surgeries and post bags that lack of a proper home is a major problem for hundreds of families in our area alone. Many are living in totally overcrowded and inappropriate conditions."Gordon Brown has promised to make housing a priority in his Government. Now is the time the Labour government lived up to its fine words and tackled the problem head-on."
Follow the party's activity on...