FAMILIES and the young homeless in Lancaster and Morecambe will be the defenceless victims of last week's Budget according to local housing chiefs. Cllr Ian Barker says proposals to build 75 new homes in the district will be halved as a result of Chancellor Kenneth Clarke's sums. Now, only 35 houses will be built under joint social housing schemes by Lancaster City Council and housing associations. The cuts also coincide with a trimming of housing benefit handouts for single people in the area.

Cllr Ian Barker said: "The housing programme which we have worked hard to develop with housing associations and the Housing Corporation is to be slashed and cuts to housing benefit will mean all single people taking up tenancies in the private rented sector will have benefit restricted."

The cuts also mean plans to develop more rented accommodation in villages and develop a centre which would combine housing and training for young single homeless people is now in jeopardy.

Proposals to renovate accommodation above shops and continue the regeneration of the West End will also have to be shelved.

"We made our plans for the future on the assumption we would get about the same amount of money as we received this year, which would allow about 75 homes to be developed but now it looks like we will only get about half that amount," added Cllr Barker. Alan Ramsay, area director of the North British Housing Association, said: "The level of cuts is extremely disappointing.

This move will have a devastating affect on the association's capital programme in the district and hinder us in our work to help the council meet the housing needs for local people."

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