Shelter report says social housing waitlist would take 119 years to clear at current building rate
8 reported
A report from the housing charity Shelter indicates that at the current rate of building new social homes in England, it would take 119 years to clear the waiting list. The charity found that more than 1.3 million households are on the list, but only 12,198 social homes were built across England last year. This means an average of 110 households are waiting for every new social home delivered. Shelter’s chief executive, Sarah Elliott, stated that if the government continues at this pace, none alive today will see the end of the housing emergency. The report also notes that the number of new social rent homes built annually has decreased by 64% over the last 15 years, while homelessness in temporary accommodation has increased by 155%. In 20% of council areas, no social homes were built in the last two years, and in 30% of areas, fewer than 10 were built.
What’s reported
Shelter’s research found more than 1.3 million households are on a waiting list for a social home in England.
Only 12,198 social homes were built across England last year.
At the current building rate, it would take 119 years to clear the waiting lists.
The number of new social rent homes built annually decreased by 64% in the last 15 years.
Homeless households in temporary accommodation increased by 155% in the same period.
In 20% of council areas, no social homes were built in the last two years; in 30% of areas, fewer than 10 were built.
Shelter argues that a £29 billion housing debt passed to councils in 2012 is hindering construction.
The government has promised a “council housing revolution” with 300,000 new social and affordable homes, 60% for social rent.
Key figures
Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter
Suzanne Muna, secretary and co-founder of the Social Housing Action Campaign
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Sources: The Guardian
