Everybody deserves the right to a secure roof over their head that they can afford. But decades of neglect has left us without enough homes, and pushed renters deeper into debt. 

We firmly believe that key to solving the housing crisis is providing more affordable good quality housing. The most effective way to achieve house building is with the consent and active involvement of our local communities, bringing all the stakeholders together behind well-designed local projects, rather than actively vetoing any new proposals. 

That's why we support the Liberal Democrat plan to build 150,000-380,000 new homes per year, at least 150,000 of which must be affordable and social homes.

New homes should be well designed to zero-carbon standards, of good quality and contribute to a sense of pride in the local area. Providing homes for the next generation is essential in order to create sustainable communities, with thriving shops, schools and public services.

But it's not just about what we do to build new homes - it's also about what we must do with our existing housing stock. Here in Chelsea & Fulham, where development opportunities are limited, we'll fight for a liberal approach that supports mortgage holders and opens up new opportunities for renters.

We will push for the instatement of a Mortgage Protection Fund, getting £300 a month of financial support to mortgage holders whose monthly payments have increased by more than 10% of their income.

We will fight for local authorities to have the right to increase council tax by up to 500 per cent where homes are being bought as second homes with a stamp duty surcharge on overseas residents purchasing such properties.

To reform the private rental sector, we will champion:

• Helping young people into the rental market by establishing a new Help to Rent scheme to provide government-backed tenancy deposit loans for all first-time renters under 30.

• Promoting longer tenancies of three years or more with an inflation-linked annual rent increase built in, to give tenants security and limit rent hikes.

• Improving protections against rogue landlords through mandatory licensing.