ALBUQUERQUE: The case for more investment in affordable housing is growing. Two reports launched this week looked at the arguments for a massive program of affordable house building and both concluded that more investment would significantly reduce the welfare bill.
One report warns that without a significant increase in truly affordable housing to rent, the costs of housing benefit could grow eightfold over the next 50 years.
Another report using evidence about incomes and affordability for the lowest income groups, which are most dependent on renting, urges the adoption of a “living rent”, closely attuned to local income levels, to ensure that average housing costs are no greater than 28% of incomes…