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
Rightmove’s Weekly Mortgage Tracker – 01/07/25
Average rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages Term Average rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 4.57% -0.05% -0.83% 5-year fixed 4.55% -0.04% -0.45% Lowest rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages Term Lowest rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 3.69% -0.13% -0.98% 5-year fixed 3.87% -0.01% -0.36% Average…
Read More 
Housing Insight Report Covering May 2025
Sales On average, there were around 11.5 homes placed for sale per member branch in May 2025. Lettings The average void period reported by member agents increased to just over three weeks in May 2025. We are seeing an average of 37% of housing transactions taking longer than 17 weeks to complete. The timescales are…
Read More 
Rental Market Hotspots Drive National Growth
New analysis from FCC Paragon reveals modest national growth in rental demand across England in Q2 2025, up by 1.2% to 29.4%. However, this overall increase masks significant regional variation, with several counties experiencing substantial quarterly surges that are driving the market forward. The research shows that rental demand across England strengthened in Q2, up 1.2%…
Read More 
Nationwide House Price Index for June 2025 – Thoughts from the Industry
Nationwide House Price Index for June 2025 shows House prices fell by -0.8% between May and June of this year. On an annual basis, the average house price increased by 2.1% although this rate of growth had slowed from 3.5% the previous month. As a result, the average UK house price now sits at £271,619.…
Read More 
Clarity still needed on key areas in Renters’ Rights Bill
Ahead of Report Stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill in the House of Lords later today, 1 July 2025, Propertymark is urging the UK Government and Peers to amendment Bill, so it is fit for purpose. There remain long-standing concerns about the capacity and capability of the Courts, with the time from claim to hearing…
Read More 
Pet deposits only option following UK Government U-turn on Renters’ Rights Bill
Ahead of Report Stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill in the House of Lords which kicks off later today, Tuesday 1 July 2025, Propertymark is urging Peers to support an amendment that would allow for an additional pet deposit now that the UK Government has tabled amendments to remove pet insurance requirements. Since the introduction…
Read More