New bill for 150,000 social homes a year

Taunton and Wellington’s MP, Gideon Amos, is calling for a legal target of 150,000 new social homes a year.

As Liberal Democrat spokesperson for housing and communities, Gideon introduced a private members’ bill in Parliament.

Speaking ahead of the second reading of the government’s Social Housing Bill, he said it was “the missing half” of Ministers’ plans.

Gideon presented the bill as a complementary option to expand on the government’s current legislative framework.

The Lib Dems have warned that the Labour government’s approach “lacks the scale needed to solve the housing crisis or protect residents from climate change”.

Currently, the government is targeting 30,000 social and affordable homes per year through its £39bn grant programme, of which 60% should be for social rent.

The private members’ bill would also embed ‘heat ready’ standards into all new developments by mandating air-conditioning.

This would be powered by solar panels, under the party’s ‘sunshine bill’ which is currently making its way through Parliament and which would require solar panels on all new homes.

Gideon said: “Our proposal provides the missing half: building 150,000 social homes a year, giving councils control over Right to Buy, and helping tenants build equity through their rent.

“Crucially, these homes must also be fit for the future, rather than built simply to hit quotas.

“By pairing mandatory solar panels with air-conditioning, we can keep homes cool and energy bills low as a changed climate becomes the norm.”