Housing plays an essential role in ensuring stability and security for all of us. It is vital that we all have security of tenure with no worries about eviction or the loss of one’s home. A safe and stable home is fundamental to providing children with security, access to education and a path towards future employment. As a Conservative, I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to own an affordable home. Nevertheless, I have consistently advocated for affordable homes to rent, especially emphasising the importance of high-quality social housing where people can enjoy a safe and comfortable living environment. Not everyone can afford to buy their own home; some will, but others will spend their whole lives in social housing and there is no shame in that.
The Government is rightly focusing on prioritising improvements in national policy in order to ensure that we have the right homes in the right places. The traditional approach of formulating national planning policy and legislation while delegating the responsibility for planning where new homes will be built to local authorities is long standing. This is because local authorities are better positioned to understand the unique housing needs and demands of their specific communities. By delegating the responsibility to plan for the housing that is needed should ensure that new housing developments address local requirements.
During my first year as your Member of Parliament, I was determined to solve the escalating homelessness crisis in Hastings and Rye. I dedicated time to meet up with local and national charities and organisations that are focused on children, families and homelessness to gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by disadvantaged individuals. It became obvious to me how critical housing is, particularly in shaping a child’s future prospects and opportunities. Accordingly, I have been advocating actively for more social and affordable housing within our community. With the help of Homeless Link, I established an online forum to encourage collaboration among interested local organisations to help reduce the risk of homelessness and prevent rough sleeping. I have also secured millions of pounds of funding to address these issues locally.
The lack of affordable housing and the risk of homelessness are not new issues in Hastings. I was surprised to discover that during the previous Labour government's tenure, they promised 10,250 new homes in Hastings and St Leonards. Hastings Borough Council has thus far delivered fewer than 4,000, with a mere 1,000 classified as affordable. While finances have indeed been tight, various funding schemes have been, and still are, available to support the construction and development of affordable homes. The council must accept accountability for its failure to plan effectively for, and deliver, the homes so desperately needed locally. This failure has contributed to the shortage of affordable housing, and along with the increasing popularity of Hastings and Rye as a wonderful place to live, has led to rising property prices and private rents that have further made local housing less affordable, especially for residents on lower incomes. Further, Hastings Borough Council’s financial situation has become precarious, teetering towards bankruptcy, largely due to the rising costs of private temporary accommodation that it has to bear because it has not delivered the affordable housing that is required.
Inadequate planning has also contributed to the heightened risk of homelessness, with over 1,400 households, including families with children, on the housing waiting list in Hastings. Much of my casework addresses and supports the housing and the social and economic challenges that too many of our local residents face, adversely affecting their quality of life and health. In his 2021 report on health disparities in coastal communities, which included Hastings as a case study, Chief Medical Officer Professor Whitty highlighted the importance of housing on people’s physical and mental health and well-being.
A comprehensive and robust local housing strategy is needed, especially for our children and young people. Temporary accommodation or homelessness severely harms both children and their parents, making it very difficult for them to build stable, secure, and prosperous lives. This is why I continue to campaign for policies both locally and nationally, seeking funding and support systems aimed at tackling homelessness and ensuring affordable housing for all.