Economists Call For More Investment in Housing

Leading economists have called on the government to invest in housing as a way to prevent a ‘double-dip’ recession. Speaking at a discussion held by housing charity Shelter housing experts and economists agreed that if the latest round of the government’s move to inject cash into the economy - failed, there was a good case for achieving growth through direct investment in more affordable housing via the Homes and Communities Agency, housing associations and local authorities. Investment in housing could ‘serve as a good short-term stimulus’ to boost the ailing economy according to FTI Consulting, who have produced a report for Shelter, Investment in housing and its contribution to economic growth, which explores whether investment in housing can help promote growth in the short term while also helping to raise the underlying growth rate over time. Download a copy of the report from the FTI website.