The Future of Social Housing

A debate on the Future of Social Housing in Leeds in February 2007 drew over 160 residents from across the region to a no-holds-barred discussion on access to affordable rented homes .

Organised by Leeds Tenants Federation, the debate heard ideas on the future of social housing from Bill Payne, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing, from social policy author and academic , John Grayson and from Chief Housing Officer for Leeds City Council, Paul Langford.

Leeds Tenants Federation, which is campaigning for the Right to Rent to meet the demand for affordable housing in the city, used the debate to launch a plea to the Council to support new social house building. Chair, Michael Hall called for a renewal of social housing and an end to the demolition without replacement of affordable rented homes.

John Grayson argued that housing now reflects the gross inequality in society and that government strategy was to privatise the sector still further. He argued for a tenant campaign to revive the social model of housing as a right for everyone.

Bill Payne, chief executive of Yorkshire Housing, called for unity between council and housing association sectors and a joint campaign to encourage more public investment from governement.

For more information go to Right to Rent