FOREST MP Mark Harper has heard the challenges Two Rivers Housing and its tenants face as a result of recent government changes.

Mr Harper visited the housing association’s Newent office where the chief executive Garry King and other members of staff talked about welfare and funding changes, plus the new business ventures they’ve launched in order to safeguard its future.

Mr King said: “Housing associations and the people living in our homes are facing huge financial pressure as a consequence of changes introduced, and still being discussed, by the government.

“We are being asked to build more homes to address the housing shortage – and we will build about 200 new homes over the next three years – yet it’s becoming harder to fund some new affordable housing schemes as the grants from government and the rents we can charge have been cut.

“We are particularly concerned for those people who are going to struggle to buy homes or who need extra help to remain independent in their rented home as they get older. Some of the changes are making it very hard for us to continue supporting them in the way we have in the past.

“I hope we have been able to explain the great efforts being made by Two Rivers Housing to generate its own funding by setting up social businesses and building homes for sale and to rent.

“We are doing all we can to find creative and pro-active ways to attract new money into the area, providing economic growth, new jobs and training opportunities in the hope that this will allow us to continue to be here for the people who need us.”