George is spot on. Much more attention is needed on the demand-side drivers of the housing crisis. Excited to say I've just started work on a new collaborative project looking at how we CAN tackle the housing affordability crisis, without trashing the environment. Watch this space... - ThreadSky

bethstratford.bsky.social • 27 days ago

George is spot on. Much more attention is needed on the demand-side drivers of the housing crisis.

Excited to say I've just started work on a new collaborative project looking at how we CAN tackle the housing affordability crisis, without trashing the environment. Watch this space...

Reposted from George Monbiot

Labour's simplemindedness will be its downfall - and ours. You can't build and bulldoze your way out of the housing crisis. Unless you also change the system, you'll still leave millions without decent homes. My column today explains why.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Comments

kingstreetrun.bsky.social•27 days ago

Isn’t there an argument to be made that we don't need new houses, but rather that houses are increasingly in the hands of a small number of people with portfolios of dozens, sometimes hundreds of properties. The more houses we build, the more the same people will snap them up.

marccooper.bsky.social•27 days ago

Sure, that's how capitalism works.

Unregulated – which housing is to date – it will get worse. The government seems to be indicating that it wants less regulation, so… as you suggest.

timminsj.bsky.social•27 days ago

It's the great lesson from playing Monopoly properly. Once you reach a certain point of ownership in one players hands it slowly topples into them having everything.

Struggle to see it as capitalism as the rent taking is basically risk free in a society where demand exceeds supply.

timminsj.bsky.social•27 days ago

And because one party can just keep buying all the new supply the problem doesn't end with building more.

andysmart1948.bsky.social•27 days ago

They won't do anything about the real causes because no government can afford to implement a real solution: build more houses, end the scarcity and THE PRICES FALL (and the government is out in their ear) We need to have a grownup conversation about alternatives.

juliebygraves.bsky.social•27 days ago

Prices have actually already fallen but that’s not widely reported or understood.

most interests want to avoid a market correction.

Asking prices are down (by greater x, the higher the price), & to state the obvious, AP is irrelevant until sale.

Don’t believe me, make a lo-ball offer& test!

juliebygraves.bsky.social•27 days ago

Plus:
- ppl more aware of risks of new build: construction quality, public services & amenities, transport & floodplain issues. Lots of buyer regret.
- a dent in overseas investor demand could impact soon
- BTL landlords & 2nd homers are selling up
- young may decide they can’t or won’t debt up

juliebygraves.bsky.social•27 days ago

@bethstratford.bsky.social
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

Developers are going to be holding more property back, whether it’s already built or not, in an attempt to shore up prices.

I think they could fail, and I think @georgemonbiot.bsky.social you make this or a similar point.

timminsj.bsky.social•27 days ago

Except councils can save money by having a good supply of affordable houses. It avoids extremely expensive housing in hotels for one.
Prices fall, people's children can afford to buy. The Gov doesn't lose votes? A possible view?

juliebygraves.bsky.social•27 days ago

I agree, George is spot on. We can’t tackle by building more supply only. The reverse is true: use tax and regulation to open up Britain’s empty, under-occupied & investor properties would change the country.

ensuring volume houses built are brought to market rather than held speculatively is key.

juliebygraves.bsky.social•27 days ago

@bethstratford.bsky.social
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

Thank you for your writing and thoughts on this issue

welshtractor.bsky.social•27 days ago

Great article. Housing desperately needs an overhaul. Gvmt is totally responsible negligent and needs educating. The view of property must alter away from a money maker. Challenge and resolve empty property with grants put rent control in place and ensure truly affordable housing is built.

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