Memorandum to the ODPM Select Committee Enquiry into Affordable Housing

Shelter argued that it was necessary for the Treasury Spending Review to allocate significant additional capital investment in affordable housing.

If investment were not forthcoming, Shelter estimated a shortfall of up to 37,000 affordable homes, each year.

There were also policy areas where Shelter believes a real difference could be made without significantly increasing public expenditure including:

• improving the planning system

• promoting innovative construction techniques

• modernising the private rented sector and

• reforming the Right to Buy system.