We welcome the new single homeless strategy and the recently published strategies on housing for older people and people from the LGBT community.

However, the lack of a family housing strategy leaves a big hole in the council’s overall approach to housing need in the city.

The city faces a family housing crisis. At the moment, for example, I am dealing with the case of a key health service worker.

He and his wife have one child and are expecting another.

The family lives on a modest income and pay £600 a month for a one-bedroom flat, plus another £118 in council tax.

They badly need rehousing by the council or a housing association but are in Band C of the local letting scheme and have little chance of the move they need.

Many families in these circumstances are forced to leave the city because they cannot find affordable homes, which are in great demand and in short supply locally.

Their problems do not always show up on the council’s radar because they leave the city.

We have urged the Conservative administration to introduce a family housing strategy as soon as possible.

There are, of course, family housing initiatives under way in the city, but we feel they need to be brought together, any gaps identified and a new strategy produced.

We really can’t forget about families and their needs.They are vital to the future of a sustainable city.

Bill Randall
Green councillor for Hanover and Elm Grove convenor of the Green Group
Brighton and Hove City Council