After years of under-investment, Guildford has a severe shortage of housing. There are 2750 households on the council’s waiting list.

Whether you are renting or looking to buy, you will have difficulty finding an affordable place to live. The average house price in Guildford is £553,493.

It’s difficult to downsize in Guildford and it’s even harder to find a first home. The lowest rung of the property ladder is beyond the reach of most young people. We are pricing our children and grandchildren out of Guildford.

Those who rent, particularly families and students and young workers in houses of multiple occupation, have to put up with high rents even when the place is run down and ill-maintained. It’s not fair on children to be brought up in cramped, damp, unsuitable properties. We will work with the Guildford Private Renters Association to give renters a fairer deal.

And for some it is even worse: they face homelessness. Believe your eyes: there are 45 rough sleepers on the streets of Guildford, according the homelessness centre, Guildford Action. More than 250 people are considered to be at risk of joining them.

What will Guildford Labour do?

• We will establish a ‘No second night’ policy for those sleeping rough.
• We will guarantee enough money to run the local homeless programme.
• We will plan for more affordable homes and social housing, working with housing associations and community-led developers.

Labour councillors in Guildford will campaign for environmentally-conscious construction of new properties.

No residents should have to worry about air quality outside their homes or workplaces.

We will advocate green policies for a plastic-free town, more use of electric buses and ‘greening’ the centre.

Promoted by Sue Hackman on behalf of Guildford Labour Party both at 9b Martyr Rd Guildford GU1 4LF.