Decent homes for everyone

The UK currently faces a housing crisis. Since 2010 we’ve seen a steep drop in investment for new affordable homes; billions of pounds cut from housing benefit; inaction on short-term lets; soaring rents in the private rented sector; and significant cuts to funding for homelessness services.

Housing is consistently the number one issue residents contact me about in my regular advice surgeries, with many thousands of families in Hornsey & Wood Green struggling in desperately overcrowded homes.

It’s not good enough and in Parliament I continue to push for the Government to invest in building more of the homes our community so urgently needs. I also call for 50% of all new housing developments to be genuinely affordable.

My latest updates on this issue

Lifetime ISAs – raise the cap campaign

Many people were encouraged by the Government to set up Lifetime ISA (Individual Savings Account), a Government-backed scheme that would help people buying their first home. However, the scheme has a cap of £450,000. According to the Zoopla, the average price for property in London stood at £681,427 in January…

My column for the Ham & High: private tenants need more protections

Here’s my latest column for the Ham & High on the challenge for private tenants at the mercy of landlords concerned by profits not people. Read it online above or support your local newspapers by buying a print copy. “The treatment of some private tenants in Gisburn Mansions in Hornsey,…

Watch: end housing insecurity in the private rented sector

I was granted a Parliamentary Adjournment Debate today to discuss housing insecurity in the private rented sector. It’s a massive issue in Hornsey & Wood Green where over 17,000 households rent privately. Since November, I’ve been supporting local residents whose block was sold. Their new landlord wanted to kick out…

Watch: Catherine urges Government to end the fire safety scandal

Four and a half years on from Grenfell, too many people are still stuck in unsafe homes, and too many leaseholders are still facing eye-watering bills. Today’s Government announcement saw some progress, finally, but not enough. Any plan must also cover non-cladding issues, for my constituents who are facing huge…

London’s Housing Crisis: we need more council homes

London’s housing system is broken; we have been experiencing a housing crisis for decades. Not only is the government not building enough houses, but we also have a chronic lack of social housing. This has fuelled a dependency on expensive rented accommodation and led to thousands living in overcrowded and…

Update: Thames Water burst main on Church Lane, Hornsey

I’ve been in touch with Thames Water this morning following the burst water trunk main on Church Lane, Hornsey which I know is affecting many homes in the area. I’m sorry if you’re one of them. Below are the latest update I’ve had from Thames Water on the work they’re…

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