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Under current plans we will never house our homeless
All the government is doing is lining the pockets of developers with taxpayers’ money, says EMMA DENT COAD

IN 1966, leading Modern Movement architect Richard Seifert completed his iconic Centre Point office building at Tottenham Court Road. There were no takers for this space. It was empty for a decade. 

The developer got it wrong. In an area where homeless people gather, it was inevitable that it was occupied for a time. 

The homelessness charity Centrepoint, named as a reverse tribute to the empty hulk, was set up in a church nearby to tackle street homeless young people. 

  • Council tax, based on values at 1991, effectively a subsidy to landlords
  • Capital gains tax relief, which costs the country £6 billion a year
  • Lack of property tax, costing £11bn a year
  • Right to buy subsidy, costing £2bn a year
  • Shared ownership subsidies
  • Tax relief for buy-to-let interest-only mortgages
  • Help to buy, which has had many unintended outcomes, such as subsidising second homes for those earning six-figure sums
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