§ 6. Mr. Horamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Shelter on the subject of help for housing associations operating in stress areas.
§ The Minister for Housing and Construction (Mr. Paul Channon)I have recently received proposals from Shelter seeking further Government support for certain housing associations.
§ Mr. HoramIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the report was requested by several leading housing associations in stress areas and, therefore, is worth close attention? Can they be assured that the hon. Gentleman sees the work of housing associations as an addition to council activity and in no way a substitute for it?
§ Mr. ChannonOn the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I am studying the matter seriously. I have been concerned with it for only just over a week. I have had other reports on these lines and I want to study them all with great attention.
As for the hon. Gentleman's second point, I look upon the work of the voluntary housing associations—I know that the hon. Gentleman does not like the expression—as a supplement both to local authority dwellings and to private dwellings. It is not a substitute for either.
§ Mr. George CunninghamDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that in the inner London area especially the housing associations are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire and improve property and then to let it at rents which recover the cost and which are fair to the tenants? Will he look at the situation in London especially and see whether additional assistance to housing associations cannot be made available?
§ Mr. ChannonI am considering this at present, and the document makes some reference to that fact.