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homes for everyone
$p2
Britain faces a major housing crisis. The Tories have slashed public
spending on housing by half and house building is at its lowest since the
1920's.  Houses are falling
into disrepair faster than they can be repaired, while homelessness
and waiting lists continue to grow.
$p2 Labour will reverse this decline. Our aim is a decent home for all
with real freedom of choice between renting and owning, on terms people can
afford.
$p2 Council Housing
$p2 Council housing in Edinburgh is on the point of collapse. The Tory
Government has cut the subsidy for housing and the Tory controlled
District Council have sent rents sky-high.  Because of the low level
of money spent on maintainance (a quarter less than the average spent by the
56 Scottish District Councils) has resulted in major defects like dampness
being untreated.
$p2 A recent survey of Council housing in the Southhouse/Burdiehouse
area highlighted the extent of disrepair.  As well as these problems there
are some 13,000 people on the Edinburgh waiting list.
$p2 Labour will give council tenants a new deal. In addition  to a freeze
on rents for a full year and the restoration of subsidies;
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$b1$c-14
 Labour will -
$t1
Fund a national action programme to repair and improve or replace run-down
estates.
$b1
Strengthen tenants rights on Security, repairs and improvements.
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$p2 Home Ownership
$p2 Labour believes in real home ownership at prices people can afford.  
Under the Tories the mortgage rate reached its highest ever level at
15$% and has only dropped to 10$%.  They have done little to help low
income groups become home owners.
$e