Healey urges Iain Duncan Smith to champion new housing

Former Labour Minister for Housing, John Healey, has written an open letter to Iain Duncan Smith, urging him to “become the loud Tory voice for housing”. Healey argues that to enable people to move into work, Iain Duncan Smith must champion new housing as part of his policies.

In his letter Healey says:

“If your concern for those willing but unable to move to work is genuine, then you must champion new housing as well as new welfare-to-work policies.

You need to know there are move-to-work schemes already in place. They operate across the country but are limited by the shortage of council and housing association homes.

You also need to appreciate just how important the “rights” to decent, affordable and secure homes are for people in social housing. You and I take for granted our home. We don’t think about life without it. We can overlook the essential truth that a secure home is the very bedrock for personal and family stability and productivity, in or out of work. So social housing mobility must involve portability of tenancy rights. ..

As you examine this challenge, you will come to one inescapable conclusion: we have to see more affordable rented homes built – not only in – but especially in areas where the demand for jobs and the pressure on existing housing is greatest. “

So, what do you think? 

Is IDS failing to see the wood for the trees?  Can the Work Programme work in the context of existing social housing supply and future Housing Benefit policy?