The shortage of affordable housing is a key driver of homelessness

Homelessness is a crisis. It is devastating and shouldn’t happen to anyone. Every day at Crisis, we see the effects of homelessness on people’s health and wellbeing, their self-esteem, their skills, and their ability to work. That’s why our mission is to end homelessness for good. Newly published research from Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree… Read more

Good private landlords should be encouraged to develop their portfolios

Debate over private rented housing has never been more intense. Many tenant groups cry foul that landlords are ripping tenants off, forgetting that independent surveys show that the vast majority of tenants are satisfied with their property. Landlords get falsely accused of defending the status quo, despite the RLA’s comprehensive package of reforms outlined in… Read more

Announcing the next phase of #HomesForBritain: Amplify the Message

Since Homes for Britain launched in September, it is fair to say that the campaign has taken over most of my waking hours – and some of my sleeping hours too. We’ve achieved a lot already. Homes for Britain and its supporters have been telling MPs and election candidates that they must end the housing… Read more

The housing crisis can be solved, we just need leadership

“I often joke that since buying property is so far out of my reach I’m actually quite lucky. I’ve been spared the agony of it all, from the harsh realisation of what your average industry wages can afford you, to the powerlessness of not knowing how to improve your lot. That said, media headlines warning of… Read more

Did you know if you don’t register to vote, you may fail a credit check?

With the UK Parliamentary general election fast approaching on 7 May, it’s now more important than ever to ensure that you are registered to vote by the deadline on 20 April. Last year saw the start of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration (IER), which meant a move away from the Victorian head of household… Read more

Recent reports by the London Society and the Adam Smith Institute demonstrate there is growing evidence that a comprehensive review of the purpose of the Green Belt in London and the South East is required. London simply cannot meet its housing targets without it. Did you know? Only 9% of England is developed 13% of… Read more

MPs accept they can deal with the housing crisis – it’s time we saw this reflected in policy

As housing professionals, we often talk about the housing crisis, but what about the general public – the voters who will decide the outcome of the forthcoming general election? When Ipsos MORI carried out a survey for us last month (January 2015), we found out just how widely the housing crisis is being felt. Three-quarters… Read more

Never mind the bananas, here’s the housing crisis

There’s been a fiery row recently in my village near Oxford (officially the UK’s most unaffordable place). Sparked by the council’s consultation on its local plan and the potential for fields currently designated as Green Belt to be used for new homes, it’s brought out the worst in some people. It’s also reminded me of… Read more

Housing need stretches far beyond those who will get to the top of the waiting list

Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds conjures up images of beautiful villages, market towns and affluence. You don’t think of a housing crisis which means that home ownership, or secure affordable accommodation, is an unattainable dream for the majority of young adults in our area. Average house prices are over 13 times average earnings within our operating… Read more

My weekly Telegraph column has made me realise how much one issue dominates in the UK

When I write about it 500,000 people read the column, rather than the normal 50,000. What’s more, when I write about other subjects, I see how often this problem is the root cause of other problems. It is housing – or rather the lack of housing – and the failure of any government to tackle… Read more