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Affordable housing starts fall by a fifth, Homes England data shows
The number of affordable housing starts funded by Homes England has fallen by 19% over the past year, data shows.
In the year to 31 March 2021, the number of affordable homes started through Homes England programmes fell from 35,809 to 28,191 due to pressure placed on the housing industry by the coronavirus pandemic, the agency said.
Total housing starts also fell by 22% from 47,965 to 37,330, while completions fell 13% from 40,452 to 34,995.
The figures represent an improvement on the number of housing starts recorded half way through the year, which were down 38% compared with the year before.
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The decline in housebuilding follows widespread closures of construction sites during the height of the pandemic, with many developers shutting sites between March and May last year.
In the year to 31 March this year, 10,713 homes started were for affordable rent. A further 7,249 starts were for shared ownership and Rent to Buy schemes.
Social rent accounted for 2,665 starts – an 11% increase on the previous 12 months.
Of the affordable homes completed, 13,306 were for affordable rent and 8,811 were intermediate affordable housing schemes. There were 1,906 social rent completions – up 29% on the previous year.
Peter Freeman, chair of Homes England, said: “The statistics released today show that we’ve kept making homes happen despite the huge impact of COVID-19 on the housing industry.
“Alongside this, throughout the pandemic we’ve also adapted as an agency, learned more about our partners and found ways to support them – learning that will help us as we enter our next phase.
“We know there are still hurdles to overcome, but we’re encouraged by recent data to suggest the sector is recovering well.
“With increased government support through the new £12bn Affordable Homes Programme, we’re sure the foundations are in place for the housing sector to come back stronger to deliver the new homes the country needs.”
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