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NHF supply survey: housing association development starts up 13% on last year
The number of homes started by housing associations in 2018/19 has increased by 13% compared to the previous year, the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) annual supply survey has found.
The survey found that the sector completed 49,372 homes in 2018/19, up from 43,572 the previous year, while there were 45,604 completions – an increase of 10%.
Nearly half the homes completed (46%) and half the homes started (47%) did not receive grant funding from the government’s Affordable Homes Programme.
Section 106 planning agreements with developers accounted for more than half the affordable homes delivered – 54% of those completed and 51% of starts.
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The NHF conducts an annual supply survey because it argues that the government’s housebuilding figures undercount those delivered by housing associations by attributing Section 106 development to the private sector.
Statistics published by Homes England and the Greater London Authority also only capture building funded through their programmes.
The survey had an 83% response rate, from housing associations owning 91% of the developing sector’s stock.
It shows housing associations completed 5,183 homes for social rent in 2018/19 – up 15% from 4,502 in 2017/18.
Affordable rent completions fell 5% but were still the most common tenure with 19,244 homes delivered, while affordable home-ownership completions rose 29% to 14,290.
Market rent completions surged 76% to 2,344, but starts dropped 35% to 999.
Market sale completions edged up 3% to 4,543, while starts rose 3% to 6,707.
Nearly half of starts and more than 40% of completions were in London and the South East, with more than 60% of affordable homes in these areas – as well as the South West and the East of England – delivered through Section 106.
“These figures show the vital work housing associations do every day to build the homes the country needs,” said James Prestwich, head of policy at the NHF.
“Significantly, housing associations also built more homes for social rent last year than in previous years, up more than 15% on 2017/18.
“But more needs to be done. The country needs 145,000 social homes every year to meet demand – this can only be done with government investment.”
The NHF released research this week claiming that £12.8bn in government grant a year is needed to solve the housing crisis.
Inside Housing’s annual survey of the sector’s 50 biggest builders last week found that housing associations are set to deliver record numbers of new homes next year.
