A record number of households in England are living in temporary accommodation, with 135,580 households, including 177,530 children, relying on such housing as of March. The UK government has pledged £39 billion for affordable and social homes over the next decade, aiming to build 1.5 million new homes during the current parliament. However, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of achieving this target.
Pip Prongué, executive managing director of Wates Residential, expressed doubts about the government's funding being sufficient to meet its objectives. She emphasized that many development schemes are not financially viable due to planning and viability issues. Prongué also highlighted the complexity of the planning process, citing that the average application now consists of 3,271 pages, a significant increase from 120 pages in 1991.
The construction of new homes is often hindered by the requirement for private sales to supplement grant funding for affordable homes. According to Prongué, the current market conditions and the politicization of housing have resulted in a slowdown in house building. She advocates for a long-term approach to housing planning, similar to that of major infrastructure projects like roads and power stations.
Wates Residential has adopted a partnership approach with councils and housing associations to address the housing shortage. The company believes that regeneration projects are too complex for a single entity to handle alone. By collaborating with local authorities and housing associations, Wates Residential aims to leverage their expertise and resources to deliver more homes.
Successful partnerships have led to the development of new homes in various locations, including Havering and Wembley. In Havering, Wates Residential worked with the local council to deliver 18 modular homes on a previously cleared regeneration site. In Wembley, the company partnered with Brent Council and the Mayor of London to provide 291 homes, of which 141 are affordable.
Wates Residential also prioritizes social value activities in its projects, offering services such as cooking classes, computer skills sessions, and careers talks to residents. In 2025, the company measured £43.7 million of social value in the communities where it operates. Additionally, Wates Residential has explored innovative approaches to sustainable housing, including the development of "Zero Bills" homes in Cardiff.
To achieve the government's housing targets, Prongué emphasizes the need for consistency, certainty, and a long-term focus on delivery. She advocates for cross-party consensus to ensure that housing policies persist beyond electoral cycles. With a clear goal of building 1.5 million homes, the UK can work towards providing more people with safe and secure housing.
Key points
- Government funding and targets may not be sufficient to address the housing shortage in England.
- Partnerships between developers, councils, and housing associations are crucial for delivering new homes.
- A long-term approach to housing planning, similar to major infrastructure projects, is necessary to address the housing crisis.
