"Urgent Action Needed On Affordable Housing" - Öpik

1.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 3rd May 2006

In a session of Welsh Questions today, Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire and Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, called on the Government to act swiftly to resolve Wales' housing crisis.

Speaking in the House of Commons Lembit asked the Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, if he was "aware that Welsh house prices have risen by 120% in 5 years, and by 157% in Montgomeryshire, while the average Montgomeryshire household earns just £23,000 a year?"

Lembit continued: "Will the Government consider introducing a strategy to actively promote Community Lands Trusts such as the successful pilot in Castle Caereinion, shared ownership schemes, plus new council housing stock to help resolve this acute and worsening housing crisis?"

Speaking afterwards, Lembit said:

"More and more people in Mid-Wales are struggling to deal with Wales' affordable housing crisis. There's an enormous gulf between soaring house prices and people's wages, and it's incredibly difficult for many people to get on the housing ladder.

"Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are one way forward, and the project in Castle Caereinion is making great progress. I want Governments in the Assembly and in Westminster to support CLTs and help them to provide top-quality, low-priced housing. But we also need to deal with fundamental problems like the lack of council housing stock.

"The Government needs to make tackling Wales' affordable housing crisis a major priority. Because, frankly, it's already THE major priority for many people in Wales."

Notes:

The full text of Lembit's question, was as follows:

"Is the Minister aware that Welsh house prices have risen by 120% in 5 years, and by 157% in Montgomeryshire, while the average Montgomeryshire household earns just £23,000? Will the Government consider introducing a strategy to actively promote Community Lands Trusts such as the successful pilot in Castle Caereinion, shared ownership schemes, plus new council housing stock to help resolve this acute and worsening housing crisis?"