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. A view of Glasgow, Scotland, from above.

    More than a safety net: The welfare state as springboard to economic success and a better country

    A perceived conflict between social spending and economic dynamism is deeply embedded in both Scottish and UK political discourse.
  2. The Home Office building in London

    Far from settled: The government’s ‘earned settlement’ consultation

    How long should people have to wait until they can permanently settle in the UK? This is the core question underpinning the Home Office’s ‘earned settlement’ policy, currently out for consultation.

  3. Rethinking public sector productivity

    This is the second in a series of IPPR Scotland blogs as part of our project on Employment, Productivity and Reform in the Scottish Public Sector. This project is funded by the Robertson Trust.