Farron welcomes New Homes Bonus for South Lakes

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed the announcement of over £200,000 in grants to South Lakeland District Council under the Government's New Homes Bonus scheme, effectively doubling their council tax revenue on new builds and previously empty homes.

The payments are a boost resulting from the council's determination to invest in new affordable housing stock, and its participation in schemes to increase the re-occupation of empty homes. The grants will enable them to continue their efforts to tackle the acute housing crisis in south Cumbria, and make use of the estimated 1000 homes currently lying empty in the area.

The Government made the extra money available as an incentive for councils to increase their focus on the issue, and Tim has called on SLDC to use the funds to build on the considerable progress made so far.

Tim has campaigned vociferously for greater support for people currently waiting for housing, and this news comes as a further boost to his campaign to support the near 5,000 families in Furness and South Lakeland that are currently on the social housing waiting list.

Commenting, Tim said "This extra funding is deserved reward for the district council's persistence in tackling the critical housing problem we face in the south lakes, and I call on them to continue using these incentives to invest in making crucial affordable homes available.

South Lakeland District Council have really led the way in this area, and we must continue to get local people off waiting lists and into housing that is both affordable and good quality"