Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Carter (Labour). It was answered by Baroness Andrews (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 March 2006.

Housing: Shared Ownership

Question: Why they are increasing the 80 per cent ownership limit on shared ownership rural housing to 100 per cent on 1 April in advance of the report of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission.

Answer: My Lords, we are not pre-empting the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. The Government are keen to expand home ownership through Homebuy, but we have listened to the concerns expressed about the retention of affordable housing in rural areas and recognise that those areas can be subject to particular housing pressures. We will therefore continue to allow housing associations to restrict staircasing on rural exception sites where it is possible and appropriate under leasehold legislation. We will also introduce further safeguards as planned.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 680 c238
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Lead
Procedure: Topical questions (HL)
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Housing: Rural Areas
Tuesday, 18 April 2006
Written questions
House of Lords; Housing: Rural Areas
Tuesday, 18 April 2006
Written questions
House of Lords; Housing: Rural Areas
Tuesday, 18 April 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Housing Housing associations Low incomes Rural areas Shared ownership schemes