Shelter comments on the recent annual affordable housing figures from the government
Shelter comments on the recent annual affordable housing figures from the government which show a rise on last year, but are still well below the number that are needed, with the fewest social homes built since the Second World War.
Shelter comment on annual affordable housing figures
- Almost two thirds of local authorities built no affordable housing last year.
- Last year recorded the lowest number of social rented homes built in 71 years, at only 5,380. (Source, DCLG)
- The total number of affordable homes built in England last year was 41,530, well below the average over the past ten years of 51,000. (DCLG)
Polly Neate, chief executive at Shelter, said: “It’s positive to see an increase in affordable housebuilding, however we’re starting at an extremely low base and the gap between the amount we need and what is being delivered is widening.
“With rents sky high and more than 250,000 people homeless in England, it’s clear to see just how bad our affordable housing shortage has become. This is largely due to handing near total control of our housebuilding to big developers who have little appetite for building affordable homes.
“The government has a real opportunity to set things right in the upcoming Budget, it can start by reducing the mammoth cost of land and closing loopholes which are draining the country of the affordable homes families are crying out for.
“It’s unacceptable that we’re building the lowest number of social homes since the Second World War, just as homelessness reaches 250,000 in England.”
Source of information from Shelter.
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