Shelter’s response to the Help to Buy announcement and Sajid Javid’s speech
October 3, 2017
Shelter’s response to the Help to Buy announcement and Sajid Javid’s speech.
Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter said: “Extending Help to Buy is the wrong priority at a time when over a million renters are struggling with crippling housing costs. Help to Buy has barely helped the first-time buyers it is targeted at and has done nothing to help those worst affected by our broken housing market and those at risk of homelessness. Moreover it has increased house prices and propped up a speculative development model in need of reform.
While we welcome the fact that Sajid Javid has recognised the problem of instability for families who rent privately, we’re sorely disappointed that he is talking about encouraging 12 month tenancies when half of all tenancies are already a year or more. For the millions of families moved from pillar to post at the whim of a landlord, 5 year contracts are the only way to ensure a stable future for those who need it most.”
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