Is this the real reason for the housing crisis?

Hello, On the face of it, it’s very puzzling. Surely the government are well aware of the housing crisis? Yet, aided and abetted by Shelter they cause the private rental sector to shrink.

Maybe this is about getting the national cost of Housing Benefit down. By shrinking supply, would-be renters are squeezed into becoming first-time buyers and benefits clients stay on couches and in overcrowded situations because there is little availability and their housing allowance is too low to compete.

I can’t see how there are any votes to be had, as tenants are unlikely to vote and certainly not for the Conservative party.

Creating homeowners on the other hand, whilst seeming to be on the side of the tenant and cutting spending on housing is a neat trick. Polly Neate and the Left get the blame but they get to practice anarchy, wealth bashing and social unrest.

Thank you,

Stephen