Mayday

MEMO to councillors (and mayors) victorious in today's local elections. Take a look at the figures in this parliamentary answer yesterday and do something about housing for families in your area.

In 2006/07, the last year for which figures are available, 49% of new private sector homes and an incredible 80% of social landlord homes had one or two bedrooms. In the last five years the proportion of homes with three or four bedrooms has fallen from 70% to 50% in the private sector and 33% to 20% in the social sector.

The reasons behind the trend are fairly obvious: the huge surge in land values and a planning policy that has insisted on increased density. The consequences - soaring waiting lists for family accommodation and a glut of city centre flats lying empty - are equally clear.

It's true that things were almost as bad during the last boom and bust. In 1991/92, 46% of private sector homes and 80% of social sector homes were one or two bed and those proportions did fall thanks to the downturn in the market and increased social housing funding. And at least we are aware of the problem this time.

But pay particular attention if you win in London. And take a read of this Westminster Hall debate last week for a real insight into the problems that are stacking up in terms of families in temporary accommodation and overcrowding.  

London has 330,000 households on waiting lists and 200,000 overcrowded households. Only 2,500 social rented homes with three or four bedrooms were built in 2006/07.

Posted by Jules Birch, May 1 

Posted in Social housing, Housebuilding, Overcrowding