Too many are in poor accommodation. Years of underinvestment in social housing have left a 19 billion repair backlog. Too many face real difficulty in finding a decent and affordable home. Too many have no choice and control over where they live. Choice in social housing is distorted when rents differ for no good reason.
Some people remain homeless.
Many of those who wish to own their home have problems getting onto the housing ladder. And those trying to buy and sell properties face a stressful time. This Green Paper is the first comprehensive review of housing for 23 years. It proposes modernisation and reform across the whole range of issues, including the housing benefit system for which Alistair Darling is responsible but which is our common concern. Above all it is a Green Paper about quality and choice.