Prescott launches five-year plan

The government has pledged to halve the number of people in
temporary accommodation by 2010, John Prescott announced today,
writes Mithran Samuel.

The target was included in the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister’s five-year housing strategy published today
(Monday).

It follows news last month that numbers in temporary
accommodation have risen by 123% to over 100,000 since Labour came
to power.

Launching the plan, Prescott said: “Tackling the
nation’s chronic housing needs and giving people more choice
is not just about them gaining a roof over their head –
it’s about giving people a stronger financial future and
ensuring greater social justice.”

The plan also pledges:-

Prescott

• More than £5 billion housing-related support to
help more than 1.2 million people, many of them older and disabled,
to live independently in their own homes.

• Effective provision for Gypsies and Travellers, while
tackling unauthorised development.

• 10,000 extra social homes a year by 2008 – a rise of
50 per cent

• A decent home for all social tenants and seven out of 10
vulnerable people in the private sector

There will also be changes to the planning system to ensure more
affordable housing for key workers and young families in rural
areas.

Five year plan from www.odpm.gov.uk/fiveyearstrategy