'Homes for everyone but Medway’s young' - say Medway Liberal Democrats

Medway is suffering from a housing crisis. Despite more houses being built each year across Medway, they are increasingly becoming less affordable to young Medway residents. This forces them to either stay at home with their parents or get forever stuck in the expensive rental market.

The Garrison Point development is being built by Medway Development Company (MDC), the commercial house building company owned by Medway Council. In a recent Facebook advertisement, MDC advertise the flats by saying ‘Looking to purchase your second home in Chatham? Discover a brand-new development with exceptional specifications, excellent transport links to London and ideal local amenities on your doorstep.'

This advertisement aimed at out-of-town second-homeowners shows that Medway does not care about housing crisis facing its own residents. Instead of using this opportunity to sale affordable houses to local first-time buyers, they are just wanting to chase profits from property investors.

Alan Collins Rosell, Liberal Democrat candidate for Rainham North said, ‘Whilst developers market high-end riverfront apartments to the wealthy as premium or second homes, residents are left to wait an unacceptable amount of time for affordable social housing and young people struggle to get a foot on the housing ladder. The fact that Medway Development Company – the council’s own developer – is building premium housing and marketing it as ‘second homes’ is nothing short of an outrage. The Tories are wilfully leaving Medway residents behind to make a quick buck.’

The Conservatives need to get their housing priorities right and ensure that the people of Medway have quality, affordable housing, before catering to the wealthy. If you agree, then you can send them a message during the local elections on May 4th and vote Liberal Democrat, a party that wants every young person in Medway to own their own home. We believe they and Medway deserves better.