On Friday Luke hosted a roundtable called “Politics and Pastries” with a number of housing related charities and organisations, as well as Plymouth City Council representatives, to discuss the issues surrounding homelessness and housing in Plymouth.

The aim of this was to discuss the problems faced by those those in need of urgent support, those working in the sector, and how to improve it. 

Housing is an issue with increasing severity and one which Luke is very concerned about.

The combination of  the UK’s economic situation, a fall in supply and increase in demand has led to a huge housing crisis. Despite the target for new homes being built in Plymouth being 1000 last year, only 114 new homes were built. This statistic is one of many highlighting the need for new homes. Further to this, the mortgage interest rate increase means that costs are being pushed onto tenants and making rents unaffordable.

Luke said:

Plymouth is in dire need of a solution and further investment in social housing in order to help people before it reaches a critical point. I will continue pushing the Government on this and raising the issue wherever possible.