The National Housing Federation has welcomed the appointment of Grant Shapps as the new Housing Minister.

Federation Chief Executive David Orr has already established a close working relationship with Mr Shapps. Last year, the new Housing Minister appointed Mr Orr as chair of a mobility taskforce, which is exploring ways of making it easier for social housing tenants to move home.

Mr Orr said that he was confident Mr Shapps would work hard to promote the cause of affordable housing, but said it was critical he ensured the housing budget was protected from public spending cuts.

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The Federation, which represents England's housing associations, will seek a meeting with the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition administration as soon as possible.

Mr Orr said: "We look forward to working closely with Mr Shapps, and his colleagues in the new coalition government, on ensuring that the nation gets the affordable housing it so desperately needs.

"Mr Shapps has demonstrated an expert knowledge of the challenges faced by our sector and understands the need to incentivise local communities to accept the building of new homes in their area.

"With record waiting lists for social homes, Dickensian levels of overcrowding in many of our cities, and a dramatic slump in house-building numbers, it’s clear that the need for more affordable housing has never been greater."

(CD)