Too many of the South East's new affordable homes are too small to meet the needs of the region's residents says a new report. The research report commissioned by the South East England Regional Assembly and South East England Development Agency is the first to study trends in the type and size of homes built over the past 25 years. It reviews affordable housing and homes built for sale on the open market.

A key concern is the significant increase in one and two bedroom flats built for the affordable housing market, from 26% in 2001 to 56% in 2005, meaning that families have only limited access to new affordable homes. This is reinforced by figures showing there is more overcrowding in publicly funded housing, particularly in the rented sector. Some 15% of South East households in the public rented sector live in overcrowded conditions compared to just 3% of homeowners, creating health problems and negative impacts on children's education.

The research will inform detailed delivery of the Assembly's South East Plan and the review of the Regional Housing Strategy. The Assembly's Regional Planning Committee will consider the impact of the research for local councils.

The South East England Regional Assembly's Planning Committee Chairman, Cllr Christine Field, said:

"Currently, affordable housing investment is focusing on numbers rather than size of homes and this new research suggests that we are not getting it right. This report reinforces that the region needs greater investment from Government in affordable housing, particularly for family-sized homes that have three or more bedrooms. It should not be purely about numbers but about providing for people's needs to maintain a good quality of life. The Assembly will work with the region's councils and the Housing Board in taking this forward."

Pat Tempany, Head of Urban Renaissance and Housing at the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) said:

"It is vitally important that housing provision supports the competitiveness of the region and is responsive to people in housing need. Housing provision is as much about the market and funding mechanisms as it is about meeting needs and this work will provide housebuilders, councils and others with an opportunity to debate the issues and develop a better understanding of how we can better match provision with need."

Other issues in the report:

• The private housing market will develop according to market demand
• Lack of affordable homes could lead to staff shortages for the region's businesses
• Rising prices for market housing have encouraged growth of the private rented sector and lead to more competition for first time buyers, particularly due to the increased buy-to-let market
• The planning system focus on increasing homes per hectare has led to smaller homes being built.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The housing research report has been carried out by DTZ.
2. Link to report
3. The South East England Regional Assembly is a partnership of councils and communitities in the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
4. SEEDA is the Government funded agency set up in 1999 responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy.
5. The South West Regional Assembly is a partnership of councillors from all local authorities in the region and representatives of various sectors with a role in the region's economic, social and environmental well-being. It covers the area from Gloucestershire, Dorset and Wiltshire to the Isles of Scilly, and represents a population of almost five million.
6. SWRDA is the Government funded agency set up in 1999 responsible for the economic and social development of the South West of England.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 21 August 2007