New research has revealed a ‘desperate housing crisis’ as councils warn of ‘severe’ need for affordable housing.
A survey of 166 local authorities in Britain revealed 98% of respondents characterised their need for affordable homes as either ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’.
Carried out by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), the survey found only 1% claimed their need is ‘not substantial’.
TCPA said this survey, which was published by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), demonstrated that a lack of investment in affordable housing alongside deregulation of planning was reducing the ability for local authorities to secure homes for their residents.
‘Our research reveals that Britain is facing an acute housing crisis with councils across the country increasingly unable to meet the need for affordable housing,’ said Kate Henderson, chief executive of the TCPA.
‘The incoming government must make tackling the housing crisis a priority. An ambition to increase housing numbers is not enough, we need to ensure that the homes that are built are affordable and well designed.’
The study also identified how local authorities are taking a more active role in housing delivery through entrepreneurial approaches, such as setting up local housing companies and innovative approaches to partnership working.
Over two thirds (69%) of councils surveyed said they already had or were thinking about setting up a local authority housing company either on their own or in partnership.
Paul O’Brien, chief executive of APSE, said: ‘Whilst the general election had been pitched as the Brexit election the political narrative can’t ignore the housing crisis that we face across the UK.
‘A new wave of council homes would help support local economic growth, jobs and skills in our economy; housing could be an effective driver for a renewed industrial strategy but to achieve this we need to place local councils at the heart of delivery on housing need.
‘That means the future Government of whatever political make-up must provide the financial freedoms and flexibility for councils to deliver solutions to our chronic housing shortage.'
