Lib Dems announce social housing plans

The Liberal Democrats launched plans today to increase the supply of social housing, stem the number of repossessions, and rescue the construction industry. They want to introduce a ‘repair and renewal’ loan scheme for owners of empty properties if they agree to lease them for at least five years to a housing association, and would allow commercial building temporarily being used for housing to claim a property relief rate. They also want housing associations and local authorities to use the Homes and Communities Agency funds to improve newly purchased unsold housing stock.