6 days Ago
One of the most pressing issues my office deals with every day is housing. Families in Bolton facing eviction with nowhere to turn, unresolved disputes with housing associations, and—most heartbreakingly—people forced into temporary accommodation miles away from their support networks. Since the start of the year, I have helped nearly a hundred families struggling with housing issues, and this is sadly a reality for MPs across Greater Manchester.
Having served as an MP in Bolton for nearly 15 years, I have watched this crisis worsen. Wages have stagnated while demand for housing has surged, pushing prices beyond the reach of too many people. I see first hand how tirelessly the team at Bolton Council ’s Housing Department works to support the most vulnerable, but they are fighting an uphill battle with limited resources.
More and more, I hear from residents who are worried about their future, unsure if they will be able to keep a roof over their heads or find a place to call home. That’s why I welcomed the government’s recent announcement of £2billion in funding for affordable housing. This investment is a step in the right direction, helping to kickstart the construction of much-needed homes and support the hundreds of families in Bolton currently stuck in temporary accommodation.
But it cannot be the only solution. We need to ensure that this funding is distributed fairly and used efficiently to provide genuinely affordable and high-quality housing, rather than just focusing on numbers. We need a broader, more strategic approach to tackling homelessness and housing insecurity.
That’s why I am bringing together housing associations, charities, and local councillors for a roundtable discussion. We must explore concrete steps to address this crisis and strengthen collaboration between key organisations—because no one in our town should be without a safe and stable home..
