Priced Out: Affordable housing in England

Article

England is in the midst of a housing crisis. In 67 per cent of local authorities, insufficient houses were built to meet demand in 2015/16 (DCLG 2016; DCLG 2017).

Across England, of the 265,936 houses that are needed, just 189,650 new dwellings (71 per cent) were provided. While other factors, such as money supply, play their part, this is impacting on the affordability of housing. House prices have risen by 76 per cent since 1995, far outstripping inflation (ONS 2017).

In this context, a number of recommendations are put forward set around a stronger approach to affordable housing at a national level, including a clear measure of affordability, and the devolution of greater powers to mayors to deliver the housing their regions need.

Related items

  1. Union Jack flag and the Stars and Stripes flag of the USA, fluttering together in front of Big Ben in Westminster

    It's the cost of living, stupid: Why progressives lose and win

    UK households are impatient for change. Trust in our political system is low and that’s reflected in scepticism across the board that government can make things better. 

  2. Getting the child poverty strategy we need: A co-produced agenda for change

    The UK government has a time-limited opportunity to make a decisive difference to child poverty in its upcoming strategy. 

  3. Not yet settled? Assessing the government’s new policy on indefinite leave to remain

    This month’s white paper represented the most significant shake-up in immigration policy since Brexit.