08/06/10...90,000 South East households to be overcrowded by 2013 -
THE South East has been named the second worst affected area when it comes to overcrowding in England. An estimated 80,000 households are currently overcrowded in the region, with that figure set to rise to 90,000 by 2013.
The National Housing Federation, which represents England’s housing associations, is predicting a 20% rise across the country in the number of families living in overcrowded housing by 2013. The Federation is warning that millions of people are now at risk of being trapped in substandard housing for a generation.
The dramatic slump in house building is being blamed for fuelling the crisis, with the number of homes built in England and Wales in 2009/10 (123,000) the lowest number built in 87 years, as developers mothballed new developments during the downturn. Additional research has shown that insufficient numbers of homes have been built in the region since 2002, leading to a growing housing crisis, with the South East missing its target for new homes by 15% during 2008/9, the latest year for which the figures are available.
With over 203,000 South East households on housing waiting lists, the drought in mortgage finance has also exacerbated the problem of overcrowding. Many young families are being forced to stay at home with their parents while they save for a deposit, or simply abandon hope of being able to afford their own place in the current economic climate.
Warren Finney, South East Regional Manager for the National Housing Federation warned living in overcrowded conditions can have a major impact: “Overcrowding is closely linked to poor health, low educational attainment and family breakdowns.
As well as having a negative impact on family life, it can contribute to increased levels of homelessness and put enormous pressure on public services – as families are housed in expensive and often unsuitable temporary accommodation.
In the forthcoming spending review, The National Housing Federation is calling on the Government to ensure that we are able to deliver 50,000 social rented and affordable homes a year in England.
STATUS: Press release (unedited)
