By Richard Johnstone | 3 September 2014
A majority of people support the construction of new social housing as well as a strong government role in the sector, a poll for the Fabien Society has found.
The think-tank’s Silent Majority report found that 57% of 99 people polled in a number of focus groups supported the building of new social housing, while only 15% were opposed. In addition, a majority – 87% of survey respondents – said they thought that government could do something to address problems with the housing market.
Respondents also supported the construction of homes in their local area, with only 27% of respondents saying they would be opposed more social housing if it was to be built in their area.
Publishing the report yesterday, the Fabiens said the public was aware there were problems with housing in the UK and people were ready to accept ‘a new wave of social housing’.
Politicians need to invest more time in defining these problems in a way that presents a new generation of social housing as a solution, they concluded.
In particular, this should include a focus on the problems of private-rented homes. The perceived plight of private tenants boosted support for new social house building, as long as it was clear they would be made available for current private tenants.
