The Liberal Democrats launched plans today to increase the supply of social housing, stem the number of repossessions, and rescue the construction industry. They want to introduce a ‘repair and renewal’ loan scheme for owners of empty properties if they agree to lease them for at least five years to a housing association, and would allow commercial building temporarily being used for housing to claim a property relief rate. They also want housing associations and local authorities to use the Homes and Communities Agency funds to improve newly purchased unsold housing stock.
