Leon Walker,
Regen.net,
21 August 2008
An increase in housing starts by social landlords has driven an overall rise in housing starts of two per cent in England in the second quarter 2008, figures released today show.
Housing starts by registered social landlords are 36 per cent higher than quarter one 2008 and 56 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2007, figures for quarter two 2008 show. They are now at their highest quarterly level in 11 years, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said.
But housing starts by private companies are 27 per cent lower than quarter two 2007 and overall starts are down 19 per cent year-on-year, the DCLG said.
And housing completions in England fell by nine per cent from the first quarter 2008 to an estimated 36,600 in the second quarter of 2008, the figures show.
Compared with the second quarter of 2007, completions were down by 13 per cent, the figures show.
On the increase of starts by social landlords a spokesman from the DCLG said: "We remain absolutely committed to increasing supply to respond to the long-term demand for homes from young families and first time buyers, whilst acknowledging the challenges."
House Building: June Quarter 2008, England is available here
