Economy · Housing & mortgages · 26 October 2026
House of Commons Library reports on England's affordable housing shortage
House of Commons Library has published a note on the shortage of affordable housing in England. The report highlights the role of council housebuilding in addressing the gap in social rented homes. It also notes financial pressures facing local authorities.
House of Commons Library has published a note dated 5 March 2025 regarding the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in England. The publication examines the government's measures to support council housebuilding and the current state of social rented homes. According to the Library, England faces a particular deficit in this sector, with councils being more likely than other providers to build homes for social rent.
The Labour government has committed to expanding council housebuilding as part of its response to the housing shortfall. Some Right to Buy reforms have already been implemented, and planning reforms have been introduced to support housing delivery. Figures referenced in the context of this issue indicate that 90,000 additional social rent homes are needed per year to address the gap.
Councils and sector bodies report financial pressures that limit investment in new housing. Rising costs of providing temporary accommodation is reducing resources available to councils for new housing supply. Many researchers and organisations consider increased social housebuilding an important means of addressing housing inequality and homelessness.
The note references several upcoming publications and submissions related to this topic. A Shelter publication is dated 25 September 2026, while a Centre for Cities publication is dated 24 September 2026. An LGA submission is dated 30 July 2026. A House of Commons Library highlight was issued on 16 July 2024.
Written by StreetOwl from House of Commons Library’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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