One of the main problems facing us, as readers may be aware, is a housing crisis. The local private market is generally depressed, and those houses which are being built are often ‘the wrong kind of houses’, with a preference for larger, expensive houses … where the need is for affordable two- and three-bedroom houses and bungalows.
In the rental market, the waiting list in the Sedgefield area is 2,700; yet new social housing is being provided at little over 150 houses a year. Government solutions – a benefits cap and a bedroom tax – are at best a solution for London and at worst punitive; how can you downsize when there are no smaller houses available?
To consider this problem, Aycliffe North-West Branch Labour Party is holding a meeting on Thursday 22 November at 7:30pm in the Navy Club, Burnhill Way, Newton Aycliffe.
The meeting will consider the facts of the crisis, and then discuss possible political responses. Durham County Councillor Mike Dixon has kindly arranged two speakers and, after the speeches, there will be a time for questions and comment. Hopefully, we will be able to agree a comment or proposal which we can send to the Labour Party National Policy Forum for consideration.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting if they are interested.
John D Clare
