Newly formed group asks for 100,000 affordable homes

Posted under General by Jermaine

A new lobby group has urged the Government to construct over 100,000 affordable homes in a span of next 2 years.

The 2020 Group, comprising of housing associations, local authorities and unions and headed by the ex-Government housing adviser, Kate Barker, is insisting that a construction programme on a massive scale, costing around £6.3 billion, can help kick-start sagging economy. 

The Group believes that its proposals will boost housing stocks, prevent loss of 450,000 jobs in the UK’s construction industry and preserve sector’s skill base.

Ms Barker argues that support for housing can help in sustaining economic activity and minimise risk of severe loss of capacity in construction and related industries. She added that current slowdown in house building could be prelude to the next housing boom.

According to David Orr, member of the Group and also the chief executive of the National Housing Federation, if radical actions are not taken immediately, there will be huge job loss in the construction industry and almost 5 million people would add to the housing waiting list by 2010.

The 2020 Group’s founder members include: the National Housing Federation, the Trades Union Congress, Shelter and the Local Government Association.

More