Praise for Exeter on housing with warnings about impact of new Government policies on the city

Labour's national housing spokesman has singled out Exeter for praise for its record of delivering affordable housing, but warns the city's job will be harder because of the latest policies from Government.

During a visit to Exeter tomorrow, John Healey will highlight the fact that Exeter has built more affordable homes for rent than any other council in the South West, but he'll warn the shift in Government policy towards homes to buy for £250,000 will make the city's housing affordability crisis worse. He will also criticise Government plans to force housing associations to sell off their stock.

Mr Healey said: "Exeter's Labour Council has an excellent record in building new affordable rented for local people, despite the actions of this Conservative government which are making it much tougher to provide the mix of homes that Exeter needs. The best way to make sure more affordable homes to rent and buy are built in Exeter is to back the Labour council and Labour councillors this May."

Since 2010, Exeter City Council has provided more new council homes and other social housing for rent than any other local authorities in the South West. However, the Government plans to take £8m from the fund Exeter City Council uses to build these new homes and maintain existing ones council homes in order to subsidise so-called starter homes to buy which will be unaffordable for most local people.

Exeter Labour's Housing spokeperson, Rob Hannaford said: "The Tories' new Housing and Planning Bill shows they have no long-term plan to address the housing crisis.

"In Parliament, the Tories voted down Labour's plans to protect affordable homes to rent and buy. Instead they want to to rebrand affordable housing so-called starter home, costing £250,000 - out of reach for young people and families on ordinary incomes here in Exeter.

"What's more, these starter homes will be able able to be sold on after just 5 years - and sold on the open market. That's an unacceptable subsidy for those that can afford the deposits and mortage repayments.

"And these plans for starter homes will affect Exeter City Council's robust policy on delivery of affordable housing.

"Since the adoption of the Core Strategy in February 2012, Exeter City Council has a requirement for all developments over 10 properties have to deliver 35% affordable housing for rent," Rob Hannaford continued. "This is a robust policy that is vigorously enforced by ECC's Housing Enabling team and ensures that affordable housing, mainly for social rent (ie rent at 50% of market rent) is made available to either ECC and/or local local associations to tackle the social housing waiting list. "Over 600 affrodable homes have been delivered in the past 5 years, and there are more than 1800 currently being built or in the pipeline.

"We now need to look to new models of housing to address the needs of Exeter's residents. We are looking at new ways to provide affordable homes outside the current model of delivery, including co- operative housing and self-build housing, so that they are not subject to threats from central government. "There is also need to look to private renting in Exeter, and are are working with partners to set up an ethical lettings agency."