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What’s landing on the new housing minister’s desk?

by: Robin Johnson
  • 25/09/2012
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What’s landing on the new housing minister’s desk?
The appointment of Mark Prisk as housing minister is particularly welcome.

As the managing director of a surveying firm, I should declare interest, I am very pleased to see a chartered surveyor in the post. But the new minister will have an unenviable in-tray.

His first job is to address the growing challenges faced by consumers, outside London and the South East, and restore confidence in the UK property market which continues to be plagued by concerns amongst potential buyers.

Issues of job security, the size of deposits needed, mortgage availability, levels of stamp duty and the stability of the market means that levels of home ownership are at their lowest rates for twenty years.

But it is not just about demand. Supply side factors need addressing.

It is common knowledge that we are building fewer homes than at any point since the 1920s and well under half what is needed. With five million people are on housing waiting lists, first-time buyer numbers have plummeted.

If we are to stand any chance of addressing the nation’s chronic housing shortage we have to remove the barriers that are preventing small and medium sized house builders from delivering badly needed new housing.

It is they that develop so many brown field sites that do not require green belt land. The truth of the matter is that only be addressing both supply and demand side issues are we likely to get any progress.

If the government cannot act to address issues such as deposit affordability and the shortage of appropriate housing stock at the right price in the right location, then dealt with in isolation these factors will make little difference.

A strategic plan for housing is required that works across the piece and across departments.

Robin Johnson is managing director of KFH Chartered Surveyors

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