Westward CEO meets with MP calling for more affordable regional homes
North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has met representatives of the Homes for the South West (H4SW) group of housing associations to discuss the role of house building – particularly the building of affordable housing – in levelling up the South West’s economy.
Chief Executive of Curo and Chair of H4SW, Victor da Cunha, and Chief Executive of Westward Housing, Barbara Shaw, met with Scott to discuss the most obstructive issues which impact housing in North Cornwall and the need to support local people with more affordable housing, which will bring greater investment and economic activity to the area.
Scott Mann commented: “Delivering affordable housing for local people is an absolute priority of mine. It’s excellent to see local housing associations delivering the quality, affordable housing that is desperately needed in our region to meet local housing need. Supplying these homes will also help generate jobs and investment for the South West’s economy so that we can bounce back stronger after the pandemic.”
H4SW’s recently launched manifesto, “Building for the Future: Levelling up the South West’s economy with quality, affordable & sustainable housing” sets out a commitment to a £4 billion programme to deliver 25,000 new homes over the next 5 years. The manifesto also includes a pledge to increase this by another 20,000 homes if Government can provide additional support.
Homes for the South West Chair and CEO of Curo, Victor da Cunha said: “We were very pleased to meet with Scott Mann to outline Homes for the South West’s contribution to the region and our future plans to help the South West build back better. We believe that more support for housing will be a key factor in enabling the region to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic, which is why we are committing to deliver 25,000 new homes over the next 5 years.”
Barbara Shaw, Chief Executive of Westward Housing, commented: “It was excellent to discuss how Homes for the South West can help meet housing need in North Cornwall with Scott Mann. The South West has a need for 42,000 more homes a year, including 15,000 new, affordable homes. We are looking to work with Government to help address this significant gap between need and supply so that more residents across our region can benefit from a secure, long-term home.”
The meeting takes place in the run up to a debate in the House of Commons on 7th September on the supply of affordable, good quality housing in the South West. The debate, organised by Somerton and Frome MP David Warburton, is taking place in Westminster Hall and will see several local MPs promote the housing needs of residents in the South West directly to the Government.
The full manifesto from H4SW can be viewed here: https://homesforthesouthwest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/H4SW-Building-for-the-Future-manifesto-May-2021.pdf
Information on the upcoming Westminster Hall debate can be accessed here: https://whatson.parliament.uk/event/cal35626