Starts and completions on homes delivered by government body Homes England have fallen in 2023, according to new figures from the agency.
Housing programmes delivered by Homes England resulted in just 11,530 new houses starting on site between 1 April and 30 September 2023 and 11,297 homes completed.
The agency said the decline in activity reflected the “on-going impact of the economic downturn on the housebuilding industry”.
Some 7,831 of the housing completions from 1 April to 30 September 2023 were for affordable homes, which is roughly in line with the 7,905 affordable homes completed in 2022.
Chief executive Peter Denton said: “The current economic downturn, with escalating interest rates, abnormal inflation, particularly in building material costs, and the growing cost of living crisis, have all had an impact on housing delivery.
“As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we have acted as quickly as we can, working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to introduce flexibilities and ease the strain on our partners. We know that these pressures are likely to continue, and we shall continue to work with our partners and central government to support the sector to keep building.”
He added: “Times are tough and I would urge existing and potential partners from the building industry, home providers, developers, investors and local authorities to engage with the Homes England team. We are here to help unlock solutions to problems and pave the way for more homes and regenerated places where people want to live and thrive.”
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