Housing supply rises by 10% in England

Housing supply in England for 2021 to 2022 has risen by 10% when compared with the year before, or by 232,820 dwellings, the latest government figures show.

According to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the number of net additional dwellings for 2021 to 2022 are currently 4% below their pre-pandemic peak in 2019 to 2020.

The numbers are, however, 87% higher than the low seen from 2012 to 2013.

Net additional dwellings shows a 0.9% rise

The number of net additional dwellings also shows a 0.9% rise on the previous dwelling stock total of 24.9 million dwellings that was recorded on 31 March 2021.

The latest data shows there were 210,070 new build homes in the total for net additional dwellings – they account for 90% of the net change.

And the figures also show that 10% of the new additions include 22,770 new dwellings that resulted from a ‘change of use’.

Conversions accounted for 2% or 4,870 dwellings and there were 780 ‘other’ new dwellings.

5,680 dwellings were demolished

The government data shows that 5,680 dwellings were demolished, including 32 for ‘unspecified’ reasons.

However, the government’s official record of net additions is published before an expected drop off in new building rates.

Housing analysts also highlight that while the number of dwellings in England has risen, the numbers are still well below the 300,000 new homes that the Conservative Party’s manifesto in 2019 pledged to deliver.

Number of new homes being delivered

Analysts also highlight that the number of new homes being delivered should not come as a surprise with the sector rebounding after the Covid pandemic lockdown.

The executive chairman of the Home Builders’ Federation, Stewart Baseley, says the government needs to re-engage with the housebuilding industry and address ‘anti-development and anti-business barriers’ to help deliver more homes.

He added: “Housing supply has doubled over recent years due to unprecedented investment from UK homebuilders and supported by the pro-growth policy environment prior to 2018.”

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