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
Clarity on energy efficiency rules for commercial property needed
Propertymark has written to Martin McCluskey MP, Minister for Energy Consumers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, urging the UK Government to provide urgent clarity on the future of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for non-domestic property. The letter follows the publication of the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, which confirmed that…
Read More 
English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025
English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025: headline findings on housing quality and energy efficiency The latest findings from the English Housing Survey on housing quality and energy efficiency. This is the second release of data from the 2024-25 survey. This report will be followed by a series of more detailed topic reports in the spring…
Read More 
Propertymark responds to latest HMRC property transactions report
Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, comments: “Based on December 2025’s figures, it is encouraging to see that property transactions remained stable following the Autumn Budget. At a time when many households were concerned about rising living costs, this stability suggests that the Budget provided enough clarity for people to continue progressing with plans to buy…
Read More 
Mortgage activity dips in December
Property industry reaction to the latest mortgage approval data from the Bank of England. The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for December sat at 61,013 down (-4.8%) from 64,072 in November. Approvals are down (-8.4%) when compared to the 66,634 seen in December 2024. This decline was expected due to…
Read More 
£19.9bn of PRS refurbishment required
£19.9bn of refurbishment investment required to bring England’s private rented homes up to EPC C by 2030 Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital, believes that despite the Government extending the deadline for all private rental stock to meet an EPC C rating from 2028 to 2030, refurbishment finance will remain key in helping landlords meet…
Read More 
10 budget patio ideas for beginners in landscaping
Creating an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of creativity and some elbow grease, you can transform your backyard into a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re looking to build a brand-new area or revamp an existing one, these budget-friendly patio ideas will inspire you to create a stylish and functional…
Read More