17 March 2006
Ministers have come under new pressure to build more homes after it was revealed that the number of households in England is increasing by more than 200,000 a year.
Figures published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on March 14 show the number of households will rise to 25.7 million by 2026, compared with 20.9 million three years ago – an annual increase of 209,000.
This, in itself, shows a rise on the previous projected increase, calculated in 2002, of 189,000.
The growing number of households was confirmed in the same week as the ODPM reported that homelessness is below 100,000 for the first time in 15 months. A total of 98,730 families were in temporary accommodation last December, down by 2% on the previous quarter.
About 60% of the projected growth in households will be in southern England and East Anglia. Danny Friedman, director of policy at the National Housing Federation, said housing waiting lists would increase unless building was stepped up. 'We cannot solve the housing crisis without building more affordable homes,' he said.
According to a new survey from the charity Shelter, it is 65% harder for first-time buyers to afford a home than 12 years ago. The average mortgage repayment accounts for more than 20% of income for the first time since the early 1990s.
'The chronic lack of social rented housing means the safety net for those in the greatest need, who can't afford to buy or even rent at today's prices, is completely inadequate,' said Shelter director Adam Sampson.
Shelter welcomed the fall in homelessness but pointed out that the headline figure was still more than double that inherited by Labour in 1997.
Housing minister Yvette Cooper agreed there was a need for more housing but claimed measures to prevent homelessness were working. 'The best way to reduce homelessness is to give people the help and support they need to find a home before they become homeless in the first place,' she said.
Last week, Cooper promised to increase the number of new homes in London with three or more bedrooms from 27% to 34%.
She also announced a review of a 70-year-old overcrowding standard that counts living rooms and kitchens as sleeping quarters.
PFmar2006
