England has developed a shortfall of at least 600,000 homes between 2011 and 2021 due to population growth outpacing the number of newly built homes, according to research by Coventry Building Society.
Analysis of census information shows that there were over 3.1 million more adults living in England in 2021 compared to 2011, requiring an estimated 2 million new homes to be built.
However, only 1.4 million new homes were constructed during the same period.
London is the region with the largest shortfall of new homes. The only region with growth in available homes is the North East.
The research shows that there is an urgent need to create homes in the right locations of the right type to meet demand, as well as updating the UK housing stock to meet the challenge of net-zero and climate change.
Jonathan Stinton, head of intermediary Relationships at Coventry Building Society, said: “Year after year there’s been a consistent shortfall in capacity to build the homes people need, it’s unsurprising there’s a huge deficit. The problem needs to be addressed now to make sure there are enough homes for everyone who wants to buy or rent a place of their own.
“All eyes will be on the Chancellor this week to see what he has to say about building new homes, but the most important thing will be what action is taken over the coming years. There’s an urgent need to create homes in the right locations, of the right type to meet demand, as well as updating the UK housing stock to meet the challenge of net zero and climate change.”
