A ringing call for a change in housing policy, welcomed a national summit meeting today.  The 23 bishops and other Christian, Jewish, Muslim religious, led by the Bishop of Stepney, describe the Housing Act as “damaging, divisive and unworkable legislation”, and ‘urge the Government to think again’.

See full text and signatories of letter

The letter was sent to all attending a packed meeting of tenants, unions and councils opposing the Act.  The controversial legislation was passed in May this year after serious resistance in the Lords.  It now depends on secondary regulation, none of which has been published or adopted.

The Act threatens wide-ranging changes to existing and future housing provision – see campaign briefing and detailed planning briefing.

Opposition is growing, from Chartered Institute of Housing, and the Local Government Association representing councils across England. Labour conference adopted policy against the Act last month.

The Housing Act summit brought together more than 220 from 30+ areas over half from outside London.  Planned resistance to the Act includes demands on councils and housing associations not to implement a ‘tenants’ tax’, right to buy and market sale of ‘higher value’ council homes.

A plan of campaign includes a protest at Parliament 23 November demanding action on housing in the Government’s Budget Statement.

As faith leaders say in their letter:

‘We need a Housing Act that meets the needs of millions, not only the few, and offers a genuinely sustainable alternative to the endemic uncertainty of the housing market.  The Prime Minister has said she is committed to leading a government for the many, not the few.  The Housing Act stands in contradiction to this’

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Contact Glyn Robbins 07411 557097

Info@axethehousingact.org.uk   www.axethehousingact.org.uk  

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Press Release available to download here: Newsrelease_Faithleaders_231016 (1)