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Building fairer foundations




Housing affects us all: whether we are paying our own mortgage or someone else's. The condition and cost of our homes impacts upon almost every aspect of life, from children's education to care for older people. 

Harrow, along with every other London borough, is in the midst of a housing crises. Harrow Council's waiting list is 4,000 long, house prices are increasingly unaffordable and rents are rising - with limited enforcement of decent standards. 

The local Conservative Administration has committed to making Harrow a fairer place. This is welcome, but to make it possible housing must be at the heart of their 2014/15 budget. 

In a letter to the Harrow Observer, published on Thursday 12th December 2013, I outlined what housing change should look like in Harrow and called for political action. 
Dear Editor

Councillor Susan Hall is right to say that Harrow Council should have a strong fairness agenda. But a budget that doesn't put housing at its heart cannot be a fair one. There are three urgent changes that must be made to address a local housing market which simply isn't working. Politicians must act.

Firstly, whilst I welcome investment to tackle beds in sheds it is simply inadequate without wider reform of the private rented sector as well. Last year a cross party review, ably chaired by Conservative Councillor Marilyn Ashton, recommended a register of landlords to drive up standards, improve security of tenure and tackle rogue landlords. This blueprint, a ‘good landlord scheme’, should be resourced and implemented in full.

Secondly, Harrow's housing waiting list is 4,000 long. Next year's budget must allocate new funding to give hope to those left lingering on lists for up to a decade. Harrow Council should investigate whether an announcement made as part of the Chancellor's autumn statement to enable local authorities to borrow more money to build could make a difference. A Local Government Association campaign calling on the Government to lift the cap on all councils borrowing to fund new housing should be given unequivocal backing.

Finally, we need a fairer planning system and more accessible housing. Recently, as reported by this paper, I supported a disabled man - Mr Caplin - challenge the Council’s planning department which appeared unresponsive to his individual care needs. No disabled person deserves to wait a year, away from their family, for permission to adapt their home. A fair council would be on the side of vulnerable people in Harrow and fast-track applications for adaptations.

Housing affects us all, impacts upon health and wellbeing, the safety of our streets, the care we give to loved ones and the education of young people - too many of whom don't have suitable space at home to study.

We cannot build a fairer Harrow without building fairer foundations. Harrow deserves a budget which takes radical action.

Yours sincerely
Councillor Ben Wealthy (Lab, Greenhill)



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