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<p>The social housing reforms in the Localism Act have given local authorities and
social landlords the tools they need to tackle overcrowding; while retaining the reasonable
preference provisions in the allocation legislation which ensure that overcrowded
families continue to get priority for social housing. HomeSwap Direct is there to
make it easier for overcrowded social tenants to swap with those who want to downsize.
The removal of the spare room subsidy also encourages the more effective use of social
housing, by addressing the under-occupation of family homes.</p><p> </p><p>Our Affordable
Homes Programme is on track to deliver 170,000 new affordable homes between 2011 and
2015, with £19.5 billion of public and private funding. A further £38 billion public
and private investment will help ensure 275,000 new affordable homes are provided
between 2015 and 2020.</p><p> </p><p><br><br>Data on occupancy at the local authority
level from the 2011 Census is published at:</p><p><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-and-quick-statistics-for-wards-and-output-areas-in-england-and-wales/rft-qs412ew.xls"
target="_blank">http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-and-quick-statistics-for-wards-and-output-areas-in-england-and-wales/rft-qs412ew.xls</a></p>
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