Affordable ‘green’ homes to tackle housing shortage

Permalink: Affordable ‘green’ homes to tackle housing shortage
by Kay Murchie

The findings of the Homes for the Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable consultation paper on the future of housing in the UK has been revealed by the government.

The paper summarises the government’s plans to tackle the housing shortages which have devastated the UK for a generation through the building of more green, affordable homes.

Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, announced that there will be more homes backed by more ambitious building targets, increased investment and new ways of identifying and using land for development.

Demand for homes in the UK is outstripping supply and earnings have not kept in line with the rate of property price increases over the last decade. Consequently, many first-time buyers have been unable to get a foot on the property ladder.

Ms Cooper also guaranteed that the government plans to build homes more quickly by unblocking the planning system and release land for development. Furthermore, the houses will be environmentally friendly as climate change has prompted the government to concentrate on “greener” homes.

The government’s proposals are intended to combat increasing property prices and affordability. It is anticipated that 3 million new homes will be built by 2020, a target of nearly a quarter of a million homes annually.

The proposals were given a cautious welcome by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

There will also be plans to assist those in rural areas, which have been severely affected by a lack of housing.