Action desperately needed as shortage hits 60,000
Wales’ housing shortage has hit 60,000 homes yet fewer were built last year than at any point since the Second World War. The stark statistic is revealed today as the HBF launches its Wales election manifesto and is a warning to AMs that they desperately need to wake up to the mounting housing crisis.
Housing issues are now affecting every Welsh constituency and the social and economic impacts of an acute housing shortage are becoming ever more apparent:
100,000 families languish on housing waiting lists Young people are unable to buy a home and are delaying starting a family FTB require an average deposit of around £30,000 Shelter estimates an annual societal cost of poor housing to Wales of £168M
The HBF manifesto, which is being sent today to every candidate at the forthcoming elections, urges politicians to prioritise housing policy to deliver more desperately needed homes.
The Manifesto outlines the steps that urgently need taking to increase supply;
Develop policies that ensure the Planning System balances objectives to deliver more housing Adopt Firstbuy to help FTBs address the chronic lack of mortgage availability Reduce the crippling costs of central and local Government regulation that prevents many sites being built Maintain public funding to support housing delivery and the jobs it creates Issue a clear Central Government mandate to Local Authorities that new homes must be a paramount objective.
Speaking today HBF Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley said;
“Wales has a desperate and growing housing crisis that just has to be addressed. But despite a huge shortfall of homes , we are building less than at any time since the Second World War. The social and economic implications dictate that the new Assembly Government’s AMs must address the barriers to delivery as a matter of urgency.”
Increasing housing delivery will benefit every area of the country and;
Create tens of thousands of jobs Provide enough homes for the Welsh population Remove millions from poor quality living conditions Stimulate the economy. £1 spent generates nearly £3 in economic activity, ensuring Wales remains competitive and attracts business and investment.
For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Turner on 020 7960 1606 / 07919 307 760 or steve.turner@hbf.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk Click here to view the HBF’s Manifesto 2010 Click here to view HBF’s detailed Manifesto in full Just 5611 homes were completed in Wales in 2010, the lowest since 1946. Click here for full table