Bridging the Gap - residents tackle tough choices on affordable housing

“The big issue for Leeds families is – will our children be able to afford to live in this city?” said Michael Hall, Chair of Leeds Tenants Federation, organisers of the hard-hitting Bridging the Gap conference in November.

Over 150 residents took part in Leeds Tenants Federation's high-profile conference, “Bridging the Gap – addressing our housing needs” held at the prestigious Thackray Museum in Leeds on Monday 15 November 2004. Council tenants, housing association tenants and private residents came to have their say on the future of our homes.

With house prices out of reach for first time buyers, with the majority of private rented accommodation failing the decency standard, and with some neighbourhoods of Leeds going downhill fast - this conference had some big issues to discuss.

Residents called for a freeze on the Right to Buy, an increase in shared ownership opportunities, more emphasis on neighbourhood decency rather than bricks and mortar, support for locally-led regeneration projects and for radical and imaginative solutions to the affordability and quality issues facing housing in Leeds.