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Social housing waiting lists swell

Friday, July 30, 2010

Source: Catherine Deshayes

The body that represents England's housing associations has warned that over half a million people could be added to housing waiting lists as a result of government spending cuts...

With ministers looking to slash departmental budgets by up to 40%, the National Housing Federation claims that an entire generation of families on lower incomes could miss out on affordable homes.

The recession and housing market crash meant that the number of homes built in 2009/10 slumped to 123,000, the lowest level since the Second World War.

According to the Federation, 4.5 million people are currently waiting for a social home in England, while an estimated one million children live in overcrowded accommodation.

Assuming a housing budget cut of 40%, around 230,000 affordable homes would not be completed up to 2020 and 570,000 people would be added to waiting lists.

Federation chief executive David Orr says: "We would urge the Government to closely consider the huge human, social and economic cost of failing to invest in affordable housing."

Source: www.homemove.co.uk