Private sector rents and waiting lists for social housing will spiral out of control unless the government commits to building affordable housing, says UNISON, in response to the Smith Institute and Housing Voice* survey.
The independent inquiry revealed that while 93% of councillors are saying they want to build more council homes, just 10% say they have plans for an extensive programme of house building.
The Smith Institute has warned that the housing market throughout England is in a state of serious dysfunction and all sectors face a crisis. Nearly two million families are on waiting lists for social housing in the UK and rents in the private rented sector are running way ahead of pay.
Commenting on the findings, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:
“Urgent government action is needed to deliver more homes. Whilst 93% of councillors are saying they want to build, something is drastically wrong when only 10% have plans to build more than 1000 homes over the next ten years. Government cuts to local councils are having a direct impact on their ability to build more homes.
“There is a shortage of housing and targets for new house building are not being met. In all regions availability is not keeping up with demand, which is creating an upward pressure on housing costs.
“A large and determined building programme would help boost our bottomed-out economy by creating tens of thousands of jobs, stimulating economic activity and providing the homes the country so desperately needs.”
ends
Notes to editors:
*The survey ‘Does Council Housing Have a Future?’ was published on 14 November 2013 by the Smith Institute. It was supported by Housing Voice, the campaign alliance established in 2011 to champion the need for more affordable homes to buy or rent.
