Homelessness is a scandal that requires national action. Yet councils must do their part. Labour in administration started building social housing again and we continue that, as well as using every leaver at our disposal to increase the proportion of social housing in all new developments in the town. We will give full consideration to extending the compulsory licensing of landlords, where permitted by law. Whilst there is good practice in the Private Rented Sector, there is also a persistent failure to engage by poor landlords whose properties blight our town. 

Labour’s promise

1. Make action against homelessness a key council priority, and seek to establish a genuine partnership with charitable, voluntary sector and the wider community to tackle the causes as well as the symptoms of homelessness
2. Joined up support, including mental health support, for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
3. Re-start the direct building of council housing, looking to acquire land if necessary, including by the compulsory purchase of derelict sites, and ensure the maximum provision of social housing for rent in all new developments
4. Investigate the cost-effectiveness of the Council re-acquiring former council properties as an alternative or a counterpart to new builds
5. Consider a selective licensing scheme to regulate private sector housing