{"id":31172,"date":"2017-02-24T10:52:51","date_gmt":"2017-02-24T10:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=31172"},"modified":"2017-02-24T10:59:51","modified_gmt":"2017-02-24T10:59:51","slug":"housing-starts-nine-year-high","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/housing-starts-nine-year-high\/31172\/","title":{"rendered":"Housing starts hit a nine-year high, but is it enough to help tackle the shortage?"},"content":{"rendered":"

New government data has revealed the number of housing starts rose again last year, pushing figures to the highest level seen since 2007<\/h2>\n

There is good news for the housing sector after new government data revealed the number of housing starts saw growth last year. The figures reached a nine-year high. However, as welcome as this news is it does not detract from the difficulties the government is having trying to meet its housing aims.<\/p>\n

Housing remains a major focus for the government and the target to build a million new properties by the end of this parliament is undoubtedly one that has been in the forefront of the Conservatives term in office. Rising house prices and a shortage of housing has heightened the issue of \u2018generation rent\u2019, with many millennials facing the prospect of never becoming homeowners. Getting Britain building has been a mantra the government has been keen to follow, despite the fact it now seems unlikely housebuilding targets will be met in the timeframe promised.<\/p>\n

However, the figures at least suggest housebuilding still remains a key objective for the government, with some 153,370 new starts recorded in the year to December. This was a five per cent increase on the previous year.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, over 140,500 new homes completed in the same time period. It is clear from the data first time buyers are still in the game, despite perceived difficulties facing this group. Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders<\/a> revealed 338,900 loans were granted to first time buyers\u2014an eight per cent rise\u2014which is good news for a government intent on creating the next generation of homeowners.<\/p>\n

More still to do<\/h3>\n

Speaking about the figures, Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell<\/a> said the data was welcome but added there was still more to be done to ensure homes were available and affordable.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur housing white paper sets out an ambitious set of proposals to deliver more land, speed up build out, diversify the housing market, and support people who need help now,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The government has been under increasing pressure to tackle the housing crisis. Earlier this month, plans to address the issue of affordable housing was laid out in a White Paper<\/a>. This document included measures to \u2018fix the broken housing market\u2019. The aims included:<\/p>\n