'Burnley would benefit from homes fund' (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

'Burnley would benefit from homes fund'

3:45pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News

TOWNS such as Burnley would benefit from funds to help transform existing homes, a report has said.

The Centre for Cities research group suggested said different parts of the country should be given flexibility to use funding which best tackles housing shortages in their region, rather than having a nationwide policy.

The UK is building 100,000 fewer homes every year than is required to keep pace with demand, with more than 230,000 new houses a year needed in England alone, the report stated.

Alexandra Jones, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “The housing crisis is one of the most pressing challenges facing the UK's economy.

“Cities must have the freedoms and flexibilities to make decisions about housing policy based on local circumstances.

“For some cities, lack of housing prevents people accessing jobs or means they are stuck in cramped accommodation.

“In other cities, incentives to retrofit empty houses could improve local quality of life.

“Both approaches, adapted to local needs, would generate the jobs and growth the UK needs.”