Shapps urges councils to increase houseboat moorings
Grant Shapps said a residential mooring could allow people to live closer to their jobs, family or school
The government is offering councils financial incentives to allow more moorings for houseboats on waterways.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps says new moorings could be eligible for the New Homes Bonus, which sees the government match council tax from new-build homes.
He says houseboats could allow people to live in areas that otherwise might be out of their financial reach.
"Landlords, councils and communities all have a clear incentive to get more mooring sites in their areas," he said.
'Lease of life'"Around 15,000 people live on our waterways and many more would like to do so. The government's commitment to localism could be an opportunity for living on boats to be given a new lease of life."
Mr Shapps said creating more residential long-term moorings could also reduce the number of boats overstaying on the towpaths of canals and waterways.
Sally Ash, of British Waterways, said the organisation hoped Mr Shapps's call for more moorings would "alleviate localised congestion along the towpaths".
"We are also pleased to note the reassurance from Mr Shapps' department that people can qualify for housing benefit for help with mooring fees," she said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14690157
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