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This bold assertion is followed up with another worrying statement, that due to the severe shortage of social homes, some of these people have been on their council waiting list for almost two decades and may never be housed.


Previously, council housing waiting lists were the


only way of measuring how many people needed social housing. But these lists, which only record people who apply and meet strict criteria, are a way of prioritising the most vulnerable. They are not intended to be an accurate reflection of everyone in need of an affordable and secure home. The NHF claims their report gives a clearer and more accurate picture of housing need across the country. The largest number of people on the real ‘social


NHF claims the housing waiting list is 500,000 higher than official figures


by the National Housing Federation, which represents the majority of housing associations. The findings are published in the Federation’s


T


annual ‘People in Housing Need’ report, a wide- ranging update on the state of the nation’s housing crisis. The NHF claims it is the only research to analyse the true number of people in need of social housing in England. It says the total number of people in need of a


social home (provided by a HA or council) has reached 3.8m. This equates to 1.6m households – 500,000 more than the 1.16m households recorded on official waiting lists. This bold assertion is followed up with another


worrying statement, that due to the severe shortage of social homes, some of these people have been on their council waiting list for almost two decades and may never be housed. The NHF goes on to warn that the number of


people in need of social housing is set to rise rapidly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic - with low- income earners roughly twice as likely to lose their jobs. Worse still, those currently in need are likely to be forced further into poverty and debt when the eviction ban ends, and many more will become homeless.


he real social housing waiting list in England is 500,000 households bigger than official figures, according to data published


The rent of social homes are typically set at 50


per cent of the market rent for privately rented homes in their locality. They are also the most affordable and secure homes for people on low incomes.


HUGE SUPPLY DECLINE Last year only 6,338 new social rented homes were built, a fall of 84 per cent since 2010. New lettings from existing properties also fell by 17 per cent in the same time period and the most expensive areas of the country saw the smallest proportion of new lettings, despite having the highest number of people in need and on waiting lists. In the last two years the number of people in


need of social housing has increased by five per cent and 165,000 people, while the number of households has largely remained the same. This suggests that new and growing families are now suffering the worse effects of the housing crisis. The report shows that there are now 3.4m people living in overcrowded homes. Now in its second year of publication, ‘People in


Housing Need’ reveals the true number of people hit by housing problems, what issues they are facing; such as unaffordability, overcrowding or poor conditions, and what housing would be most appropriate to meet their needs, based on income and circumstances.


12 | HMM October/November 2020 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


housing waiting list’ are in private rented homes (1.5m), with many having to choose between living in poverty and getting into debt in order to keep a roof over their heads. Others are living in overcrowded, poor quality or unsuitable homes, stuck with friends, family or ex partners because they cannot afford a home of their own, or are homeless.


BUILDING STIMULUS NEEDED Official figures show the number of homeless children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 88 per cent since its low point in 2011 to 129,380. A coalition of charities, businesses, banks, and


think tanks has launched the Homes at the Heart campaign, calling on the Government to put building social homes at the heart of its plans for from recovery from the coronavirus crisis. A cross party committee of MPs recently


completed an inquiry into building more social housing. It endorsed the NHF and Crisis’ recommendation that the Government should invest £10bn a year in social housing. This would be enough to build 90,000 new social rented homes every year. Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the NHF,


said: “Our report shows that the sharp end of the housing crisis is getting sharper, and at a rapid rate. Under-investment in social housing has left us with virtually no new affordable homes available for people on the lowest incomes. “The real tragedy is that these are same people


impacted the most by the coronavirus crisis, which had led to huge job losses for low income workers. Everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable


home and social housing provides that vital safety net for low-income people. We are calling on the Government to commit to a once-in-a-generation investment in social housing and put homes at the heart of its plans for economic and social recovery.”


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