The report on overcrowding commissioned by Westminster Council, Room to move, acknowledges what many in the sector have known for a long time: overcrowding damages people’s lives and our communities.

It is not just a matter of housing, although providing more family homes is crucial, it encompasses well-being, in both communities and individuals, and its solution requires a co-ordinated, family-centred approach.

Peabody, along with other housing associations, is already committed to reducing overcrowding and the related issue of under-occupation.

Through dedicated learning centres and training and employment support programmes we encourage mobility by helping residents gain skills, widen their social networks and take up new opportunities.

We work closely with overcrowded families to identify how we can assist them, and we have introduced a new letting scheme to help adult children into independent accommodation. We also continue to develop new housing. And we are working collaboratively with our partners in the G15, which collectively houses around one in every 10 Londoners, to pilot new initiatives.

Yet these are local endeavours, and overcrowding in England continues to worsen. Room to move makes clear the shocking severity of the problem. Its impact, in the form of health problems, high levels of stress and anxiety, underachievement and anti-social behaviour, can be devastating.

The challenge we now face is to ensure overcrowding stays at the top of the agenda - not just at housing associations, but also at local and central government. No organisation will be able to solve the problem on its own. All our efforts, in unison, are required.

Stephen Howlett is chief executive of Peabody Trust

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