Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Gov. buried bad news?
The number of properties left empty, sometimes for years, when the UK faces a chronic shortage of affordable homes, is a scandal.
But the government has been accused of "sneaking out" the anouncement of its Empty Dwelling Management Orders legislation under cover of the England V Trinidad and Tobago World Cup Group match.
Under the new powers local authorities will be able to seize empty dwellings and put them to use for social housing.
This is a radical move towards social justice.
Why should property developers be allowed to "store" assets during fallow periods and then sell for huge profits when the climate changes, when thousands of families are homeless?
The legislation may force them to consider short-term renting, which would go a long way towards alleviating the problem, if only temporarily.
But the government has been accused of "sneaking out" the anouncement of its Empty Dwelling Management Orders legislation under cover of the England V Trinidad and Tobago World Cup Group match.
Under the new powers local authorities will be able to seize empty dwellings and put them to use for social housing.
This is a radical move towards social justice.
Why should property developers be allowed to "store" assets during fallow periods and then sell for huge profits when the climate changes, when thousands of families are homeless?
The legislation may force them to consider short-term renting, which would go a long way towards alleviating the problem, if only temporarily.
