Lack of affordable housing delivery is the smoking gun behind the UK housing crisis, latest ONS data shows
November 11, 2019
The latest data released by the ONS on the supply of affordable housing across the UK shows that: –
Supply:
- There were 60,000 affordable homes supplied (built, bought or rehabilitated) between April 2017 and March 2018, with the best available data suggesting Scotland comparatively supplied the most affordable homes per person (approx. 16 homes per 10,000 people).
- England has seen a larger change than other countries in the types of affordable homes being delivered – there has been a shift from social rent to other sub-market rent homes.
- Variability in the number of affordable homes delivered over the last 10 years. Across the UK there has been an average of 62,400 affordable homes delivered annually, with a high of 78,800 between April 2014 and March 2015, and a low of 43,500 between April 2015 and March 2016.
- Differences in the average number of affordable homes delivered each year between April 2008 to March 2018. England (50,800) shows a slight decrease in the long term. Wales (2,400) shows no major change. Meanwhile, Scotland (7,100) and Northern Ireland (2,200) show increases in long term trends.
- March 2018 – affordable homes delivered per head of population (per 10,000 people);
- England = 8.5
- Wales = 7.4
- Scotland = 15.8
- Northern Ireland = 12.3
- Affordable homes built, bought, or rehabilitated (April 2017 to March 2018);
- England = 47,100 [78.1%]
- Wales = 2,300 [3.8%]
- Scotland = 8,600 [14.3%]
- Northern Ireland = 2,300 [3.8%]
- UK = 60,300
Stock:
- As of April 2018 there were about 5 million homes in the social housing sector across the UK, representing about a sixth of all properties, and this proportion has been stable over the past 10 years.
- Scotland had the highest proportion of homes in the social sector in 2018 (22% of homes).
Please find below comment from Marc von Grundherr, director of lettings and estate agent, Beham and Reeves.
Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented:
“If you’re looking for the smoking gun behind the UK’s housing crisis, look no further than the hugely inadequate levels of affordable housing being delivered to the sector. Just 60,000 homes delivered in a year and no change in the level of social housing in a decade is pitiful, to say the least, and suggests that the Government has given up trying altogether.
Affordability is an issue not just in the London market but nationwide, and an issue that is largely exacerbated by a failure to build more homes at all levels to keep pace with a growing population and an increase in buyer demand. If we’re going to alleviate some of the strain on the market we must build more and this, in turn, will help boost affordability.”
You May Also Enjoy
Breaking Property News 5/11/26
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. The Greatest Return on AI May Not Be the Work It Eliminates, but the Human Potential It Releases Time to look at artificial intelligence as a growth engine that upgrades humans working life Thought Leadership By Author Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR For decades, businesses have…
Read More 
Guy Fawkes Night set to fizzle out for UK households
Firework Night set to fizzle out as 97% of UK households won’t buy fireworks and 7 in 10 want to see them banned As many as 97% of UK households won’t be buying fireworks to set off at home this Bonfire Night, while more than seven in 10 believe private fireworks displays in residential gardens…
Read More 
Budget tax raid could hit landlords for £3,500 a year
Budget tax raid could cost landlords almost £3,500 a year as property income tax rises Landlords could face almost £500 in additional annual tax per property, rising to nearly £3,500 across an average portfolio, following the Autumn Budget decision to double the previously planned increase in property income tax rates from April 2027. New analysis…
Read More 
Upfront information: homebuyers want confidence as much as speed
What movers want from upfront information, and it isn’t only speed Having a survey, legal pack and chain details before making an offer would help more than eight in ten respondents, according to LRG’s latest sales report Of the 553 who answered the question, 41% said they would offer with more confidence, although not necessarily…
Read More 
How Financial Anxiety Drains Entrepreneurial Energy
Financial anxiety can consume the attention and stamina that business owners need for planning, problem-solving and leading a team. A late payment, an unexpected tax bill or a weak sales month may trigger worry long after working hours have ended. Over time, that mental strain affects sleep, concentration and confidence. The answer starts with creating…
Read More 
How to future-proof a rental property for changing tenant expectations
Over the past decade or so, tenants have become far more discerning. For more and more people, renting is a long-term prospect and today’s tenants expect their homes to be as safe and comfortable as any home they would own themselves. And as legislation around standards and health and safety in the private rented sector…
Read More