Plan for jobs and affordable homes backed in the High Peak

12.00.00am GMT Sun 22nd Feb 2009

High Peak Liberal Democrats have welcomed plans to boost affordable housing and avoid home repossession.

The plans, launched by the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP include:

1) providing refurbishment loans for owners of empty homes if the homes are leased to housing associations

2) boosting the amount of private housing for rent including using empty commercial property temporarily as housing

3) bringing in a new type of secure mortgage to help boost lending to house buyers

4) letting councils and housing associations buy up unsold private houses and allowing them access to funds to bring them homes up to social housing standards

5)making sure the courts allow repossession only as a last resort.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Steve Sharp said, "Many people in the High Peak are struggling to get their own home or are now facing repossession because of the very deep recession. In 2008 48,000 people had their homes repossessed and this year it is forecast to reach 70,000 all due to Labour's economic failure. We must do all we can to help residents of the High Peak through these extremely bad times.

"Many homes built just before the recession started lie empty, often because the banks are not lending to people wanting to buy. These are the same banks that have been bailed out by the taxpayer, yet there are many people still needing a place to live. We want to unblock the system and our plans will help to do that.

"Giving housing associations and councils the opportunity to buy up empty homes that builders cannot sell will mean hundreds of local families will be able to rent a place of their own.

"Many privately owned homes stand empty so leasing them to housing associations means people can move into homes that would otherwise remain unused.

"Making sure that the courts only allow homes to be repossessed as an absolute last resort will save many families in the High Peak from the terrible situation of having their home taken away from them."

Steve is going out to meet residents over the next few days and weeks to discuss the plans for affordable housing. Steve also wants people's views on the plans.