Homes England indicates increase in affordable homes

Homes England has published its latest annual housing statistics, showing a significant increase in the number of affordable homes being built in England.

According to the figures, there were 45,692 new houses started on site under programmes managed by Homes England and 40,289 houses completed between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019. The government says that these are the highest levels of starts for nine years and the highest levels of completions for four years.

Of the starts on site, 67 per cent were for affordable homes, a 10 per cent increase on 2017-18 and the highest number for five years. Similarly, 71 per cent of housing completions in 2018-19 were for affordable homes which is an 11 per cent increase on 2017-18 figures and the highest numbers for four years.

Nick Walkley, chief executive of Homes England, said: “At a time where the average house costs around eight times the average income, these are positive signs that the delivery of homes, and particularly affordable homes, is on the up. However, there is still a huge amount of work to do to make sure this trend continues. We’re just getting started and need the sector to join us in our mission to make sure we continue to deliver homes across the country for the people who need them the most.”