Lyn Brown MP has welcomed an extra £1.2million funding from the Government for new council homes in Newham.

This new funding is part of a £122million package from the Government to be shared amongst 73 councils, to build over 4,000 new council homes housing over 8,000 people in 2010.  Newham’s money will go to the Sheldrake Close and Silverland Street projects in North Woolwich and will be used to help build much-needed affordable family homes.   These will be 4 bedroom homes built to a high standard of design.  This new building work will also provide apprenticeships and jobs for the local community.

As well as providing extra funding, the Government has taken further steps to help councils respond to the needs of the local community by giving them greater control of their housing finances and waiting lists.

 Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham, said:

“I am delighted that Newham will receive this extra £1.2million for new council housing in the Borough.  We have nearly 30,000 households on the waiting list, more than any other London borough, and this new funding is a good start to building the family homes that we need. 

Labour is committed to investing in building new, affordable homes for rent.  Since June 2009, the Government has released £2.4billion nationwide for the building of new council homes which is biggest spending on affordable housing in a generation.

But while Labour is working hard to deliver new homes for families, the Tories continue to campaign against affordable housing provision.  If Cameron’s plans had been followed, there would have been £800million cut from the budget for house building, but instead of acting on his advice the Government invested an extra £700 million.  Had we followed Mr Cameron’s advice it would have resulted in even longer waiting lists and bigger housing benefit bills for the taxpayer.  It’s clear that the only estates Cameron’s Tories care about are the ones housing the richest few.

Spending many years living in temporary accommodation whilst waiting for a suitable home is unacceptable.  Today’s announcement further demonstrates Labour’s commitment to reducing housing waiting lists and providing our communities with the homes they need. “