Everyone is entitled to live in accommodation which is safe, warm and appropriate to their needs. Council planning and policy should create self-reliant communities with a mix of tenures and affordability in each area.

Tenants and leaseholders should have real democratic control over how their housing is managed. Energy efficiency should be part of all new developments, and there should be a programme of insulation and renovation for existing homes.

In Sheffield

Last year almost 8000 people presented themselves as homeless in Sheffield. Despite this, council housing continues to be demolished and owner occupiers are priced out of homes rebuilt in Housing Market Renewal areas.

Luxury flats and student accommodation are expanding. But we still need more mixed communities with places for those on lower incomes, especially in the city centre where it is cheaper to live and where 50% of jobs are. Wages have not risen as much as house prices, leaving 60% of Sheffield's households priced out of the market.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Homes continue to underperform on their Decent Homes Investment Project. With some areas receiving better treatment than others, owner occupiers and leaseholders being left out, and some basic repairs and environmental improvements are not included in the project.

What we have done so far:

• Helped develop scrutiny and policy, leading to a new Affordable Homes policy.
• Lobbied for Decent Homes initiative to include insulation and other "green” features.
• Lobbied for "Right to Buy” and leaseholders also to be able to buy into the Decent Homes initiative so that they can benefit from the refurbishment programme.
• Supported high density housing in the city centre but lobbied for adequate community facilities such as green spaces, nurseries and GP surgeries.
• Pressed for improved zoning to separate housing areas from noisy industries and nightclubs.

As Green Councillors we will:

• Continue to push for 25% affordable housing in all new developments.
• Challenge demolitions of council properties and call for repair and renovation instead.
• Campaign for families with children to be given ground floor accommodation.
• Support vulnerable private and council tenants, by using money that has previously been wasted trying to prove that people evicted by private landlords are intentionally homeless.
• Continue to highlight the serious impact on local communities of the expansion of student and multiple occupation.
• Scrutinise the performance of the Decent Homes Project, and support owner-occupiers wishing to buy into the scheme where appropriate.
• Campaign to make housing more energy efficient and promote renewable energy.