Key findings

Between 2013 and 2015 the Bureau investigated the number of affordable homes built in the UK had fallen during at a time of intense housing need. The first phase focused on the human and financial cost of rising levels of homelessness. The second phase examined the issue of financial viability assessments, which are submitted when developers argue they’re unable to meet affordable homes targets. 

These were the key findings:

• Councils in the UK’s biggest cities spent almost £2bn on temporary accommodation, including B&Bs, over four years.
• Only 40% of large housing developments in the UK’s biggest cities meet affordable housing targets.
• None of Birmingham’s biggest housing developments meet its 35% affordable housing target.
• A major London development includes under 17% affordable housing despite some hopes it could reach 35%.
• Over 2,300 affordable homes cut from housing schemes after sign-off.
• At least 50% of housing schemes failed to meet local affordable housing targets in Bristol, Bradford, Cardiff, Manchester and Sheffield.
• Government-funded schemes building 33% less affordable homes than when the Conservative-Liberal Democrats coalition came to power.