The Housing Report 3

In the first edition of the Housing Report, in October 2011, we allocated four red lights, three ambers, two greens and a wait-and-see.

In the second Housing Report, in May 2012, we gave five reds, three ambers and two greens.

In this edition there are four red lights, four ambers and two greens.

Most worryingly, a year after the Housing Strategy there is still no sign that the Government will meet its key aim of providing enough homes by getting Britain building again.

And the costs of failure are being felt by more and more people – since May 2010 homelessness has risen, and the problem of homeless families stuck in unsuitable B&Bs for more than six weeks has returned, while private rents and the number of Housing Benefit claimants are up, putting a strain on hard pressed families’ budgets and the welfare bill alike.

At best, the numbers suggest that housing in England is bumping along the bottom: the Government should concentrate its efforts on maximising the provision of new homes and make the second half of Parliament a period of real delivery.