119-Year Wait for Social Housing in England
Research reveals that at the current building rate, it would take 119 years to clear social housing waiting lists in England. With over 1.3 million households affected, urgent government action is needed to address this crisis.
The Alarming Reality of Social Housing
A recent study by Shelter highlights a staggering reality: over 1.3 million households are on the waiting list for social housing in England, yet only 12,198 new homes were constructed last year. This shocking statistic translates to an average of 110 families waiting for each new social home, indicating that the current pace of construction is woefully inadequate.
Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter, warns that if the government continues its slow approach to building social homes, many will never see an end to the housing crisis. The situation is dire, with homelessness reaching record levels and families fearing they may never find a safe and secure home.
- Key Findings:
- 64% decrease in new social rent homes built annually over the last 15 years.
- 155% increase in homeless households in temporary accommodation.
- 20% of council areas built no social homes in the last two years.