Prime Minister David Cameron is set to announce that some of the country’s most run-down housing estates will be replaced with attractive and safe homes.
As part of a new line of measures to end poverty and improve the life chances of the most disadvantaged, the UK government will work with 100 housing estates across the country to either radically transform them or, in the worst cases, knock them down and replace them with high-quality homes.
To help tackle the problem the nationwide strategy will be supported by a new Estate Regeneration Advisory Panel, which will be chaired by Lord Heseltine, the former Deputy Prime Minister who has long championed the regeneration of Britain’s inner cities. The Panel will report in detail by this year’s Autumn Statement.
The number of new homes is up 25% in the past year and revived estates will play an important part in providing good quality social and affordable housing, and offering a million people the chance to achieve their dream.
David Cameron has said the following on the matter:
“Within these so-called sink estates, behind front doors, families build warm and welcoming homes.
But step outside in the worst estates and you’re confronted by brutal high-rise towers and dark alleyways that are a gift to criminals.
Decades of neglect have led to gangs and anti-social behaviour. And poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so.“
