Social Housing Approvals Down

Figures in HBF’s latest Housing Pipeline report reveal that approval levels are still way short of the 60,000 required each quarter to meet housing need, and the level that was being achieved four years ago.  The figures cover the period just before publication of the National Planning Policy Framework that forms the basis of a new planning system. Its success will be dependent up on its interpretation and implementation by Local Authorities to whom many powers have now transferred.  The social effects of continuing to undersupply homes are obvious: five million people languish on local authority waiting lists, millions more live in over-crowded and substandard accommodation, whilst first-time buyers have all but disappeared – further stagnating the housing market. We are currently building just over 100,000 homes year whilst 240,000 are needed to meet demand. Delivering these extra homes could create half a million jobs and boost the economy both locally and nationally.  Read more on the HBF website.