I recently spoke in Parliament about the growing crisis of homelessness, highlighting the incredible work of the York Road Project in Woking. For over 30 years, this local charity has supported people experiencing homelessness, providing emergency shelter, specialist support, and a pathway to rebuild lives. But despite the dedication of organisations like this, the situation is worsening. More families are being pushed into temporary accommodation, which is increasingly becoming a long-term solution rather than a short-term safety net. The human cost is devastating, with too many families left in limbo and, in some cases, in unsafe conditions.

I also raised serious concerns about decisions here in Surrey, where Surrey County Council has withdrawn funding from supported accommodation for single mothers and their children, leaving vulnerable families at risk of eviction. This is simply unacceptable.

Homelessness is not inevitable; it is the result of systemic failures in housing, welfare, and local government funding. We need urgent action from the Government to support councils, invest in social housing, and ensure no child is left without a safe place to call home.

Will Forster MP has raised the proposed Saunders Lane development in Parliament, following a well-attended public meeting at Mayford Village Hall on Saturday 13th December.

Nearly 200 residents came together to share their views and concerns about the proposal, a turnout that demonstrated the strength of local feeling and the community’s commitment to protecting Mayford and the surrounding Green Belt.

Speaking after the meeting, Will Forster said he was proud to represent such an engaged and community‑minded area:

“The turnout was remarkable and spoke volumes about how strongly people feel. Seeing so many residents prepared to speak up for their area left a lasting impression on me.”

The MP took those concerns directly to Westminster, raising the issue in Parliament to ensure that other Members of Parliament – and in particular the Housing Minister – clearly understand the cumulative impact residents fear further development would have on Mayford.

While many residents acknowledge the need for new homes in Woking, the message from the meeting was clear: this proposal is in the wrong place. Residents highlighted weak local infrastructure and serious potential consequences for traffic, public services and the local environment.

“These concerns deserve to be heard,” Will  added. “I will be writing to the council and the developers to summarise the views expressed at the meeting, and I strongly encourage residents to continue submitting their comments through the planning process.”

The MP has committed to continuing to represent local residents’ views both locally and in Parliament, and to keeping the community updated as the situation progresses.

Residents are encouraged to stay engaged and to continue raising their concerns with Will Forster MP and the relevant authorities as the planning process moves forward.

Watch Will raise the Saunders Lane development in Parliament

Following the Government’s £9.6 million announcement for winter homelessness support in the South East, Liberal Democrat MP Will Forster has called on ministers to do much more to deliver real, long-term solutions to end homelessness — not just short-term fixes. 

With record numbers of households now living in temporary accommodation across England, including nearly 170,000 children, this latest Government announcement falls far short of addressing the scale of the housing crisis which many councils are struggling to manage against a backdrop of budget cuts and spiralling costs of supporting families in need of temporary accommodation. Official figures show that local authorities now face a £2.8 billion bill for temporary accommodation in 2024–25, up from £2.3 billion last year — a cost many fear is unsustainable. Meanwhile, over 1.3 million households are on social housing waiting lists. 

In Woking, the Borough Council has seen growing pressure on its housing services as more families find themselves priced out of the private rental market and waiting for permanent accommodation. The council has reported a rise in homelessness applications and demand for temporary accommodation — stretching already limited resources at a time when council finances are under severe strain. 

Will Forster, Liberal Democrat MP for Woking, said: 

“It’s heartbreaking that so many families and children in Woking and across the South East will face this winter without a safe, warm place to call home. The Government must step up to end homelessness once and for all. 

“Woking Borough Council is doing everything it can to support people in desperate need, but it simply cannot meet this challenge without proper help from central government. We need a long-term homelessness strategy that gives councils the resources and powers they need to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. 

“The Government must also set a statutory target for building social homes to tackle the 1.3 million households on waiting lists. 

“Liberal Democrats will continue to urge the Government to be ambitious — that means building 150,000 social homes every year, abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions, and setting out a proper strategy to end all forms of homelessness. No one should be without a home in 2025.” 

Housing is the single biggest issue in my post bag. I receive more than 50 emails a week from constituents with housing related issues covering a wide variety of issues. It’s clear that not only do we not have enough housing here in Woking, but the housing stock we do have is not up to standard. 

During the election campaign last year, the Labour party committed to building 1.5 million new homes over the course of this parliament – an often-repeated mantra by members of their cabinet since taking office. 

Unfortunately, it seems there is a disconnect between the Chancellor’s economic policies and those Ministers who seek to actually deliver on this housebuilding target.  

Despite her flaws, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, worked hard to deliver on this promise. She was hamstrung by poor decisions from the Chancellor that have dramatically restricted the ability of our housebuilders to do so. 

First came the budget in November, and with it the 8.7% increase in Employers National Insurance contributions, making it far more expensive for firms to hire the staff they need to build these houses. 

At no point in any of the Chancellors' policies has she set out measures to support the industry. In fact, she is reportedly considering a dramatic increase in the landfill tax that will add £24,000 to the average house price. In an industry where margins are tight, this self-defeating tax would further disincentive house building.  

I questioned the Chancellor on how this will help Woking residents to get a home and was extremely disappointed by the less than constructive response that “there is a consultation going on.” 

Passing the buck to a consultation does nothing to deliver the homes our communities desperately need. We need action that supports builders, protects affordability, and ensures families in Woking can find a place to call home. That is what I am working to deliver. 

Watch me question the Chancellor below. 

In a parliamentary session, Will Forster MP pressed Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on the Government’s £39 billion commitment to affordable and social housing. He questioned how the funding will translate into local delivery and ensure homes are built to help those who need them most.

See Will's question here:

In a recent Commons debate, Will Forster MP directly confronted the Housing Minister over the government’s slow action on ending leasehold tenure. Representing Woking and backed by growing cross-party concern, Will urged the minister to commit to concrete timelines to finally deliver fairness for homeowners burdened by outdated leasehold arrangements.