Cash boost fails to allay affordable housing shortage

Authorities are failing to meet the demand for affordable housing, despite a cash boost of £3.3bn, say spending watchdogs.

 

The National Audit Office and the Audit Commission say that only two per cent of councils are set to meet demands for social rented housing by March 2007.

 

The findings are a blow to central and local government, who have been prioritising the problem.

High house prices, particularly in the southeast of England, have made it harder for people to afford their own homes, say officials.

 

The NAO recommends speeding up planning applications by integrating the planning and housing functions of councils.

 

Local authorities are also told to provide a consistent policy on affordable housing, and provide a single point of contact for planning applications.