Hampshire facing huge housing shortage (From Daily Echo)

Hampshire facing huge housing shortage

11:28am Tuesday 27th November 2012 in Winchester

HAMPSHIRE faces a massive housing shortage within the next 20 years.

A new report by the National Housing Federation warns that thousands of people in the county could be left fighting to get a home they can afford by 2033.

It comes as the number of households and new homes needed in Hampshire is set to rise from 743,400 in 2012 to 904,000 in 2033 – yet only half the homes needed to house the 39,000 families that are forming each year are being built.

The Home Truths: South East report warns that Gosport will be hit hardest, with households rising by 26 per cent and that this rise of demand and lack of supply will cause house prices and rents to rocket.

House prices in Hampshire are already five per cent above the national average and 11 times the average income, with an expected rise of another 61 per cent over the next ten years.

The National House Federation is calling on the Government and local politicians to work with the housing industry to tackle the crisis.