Housing figures warn of uncertainty after hung parliament

Housing figures warned the lack of political consensus could lead to an uncertain few months for the sector.

Terrie Alafat, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “We hope our politicians can form an effective new government as quickly as possible – we need action now to solve the housing crisis and prolonged uncertainty will undermine that goal. In their manifestos all three major parties rightly recognised that we need an ambitious long-term plan to tackle our national housing crisis. We simply cannot go on as we are.”

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “A hung parliament still has to find a way to govern. High on the list of priorities must be a continued focus on building and regenerating the homes we need and looking again at the way welfare reform measures like the Local Housing Allowance cap are making that more difficult. We also need early progress on secure funding for supported housing – this is vital to delivering effective social care.”

“Nothing has changed for housing", Angela Lockwood.

Bjorn Howard, chief executive of Aster Group, said: “What’s needed now is consistency rather than upheaval. A government must be formed as quickly as possible so that we can continue to build on the progress made in recent years in supporting the housing and housebuilding sectors. It was a good sign for the sector that all major parties recognised the need for a focus on housing in their manifestos.”

Nicholas Harris, chief executive of Stonewater, said: “It’s a result that creates uncertainty, however, both the Labour and Conservative parties share an ambitious commitment to tackling the nation’s affordable housing crisis and we hope they will work together to keep housing at the top of the government’s agenda.”

Angela Lockwood, deputy chair of umbrella group Placeshapers, added: “Nothing has changed for housing. All the challenges of yesterday are still here today. We need to go for more affordable and social rented homes, we urgently need to sort out funding for supported housing. We need to address the inequalities of the postcode lottery of the Local Housing Allowance cap, and we need to get on and build and develop more houses.

“This uncertainty is not helpful, but life has to go on in our communities. We pledge to work with whatever government and minister we have.”