This Housing Forum inquiry into the future financing and delivery of low-cost housing has, over the past six months, explored the context, current approaches, and future models for provision against an increasing concern regarding affordability. This is largely focused on London and the Southeast where pressure is greatest but will be extended by The Housing Forum in 2014 through its theme “Building Homes for the Future” into a national study of housing markets. What has become immediately clear is that we are during the most radical change in the way sub-market homes are provided since the creation of state-supplied housing under Clem Atlee 70 years ago. The combination of Welfare Reform and funding principles embodied in the Affordable Housing Programme has created a new dynamic in the relationship between state, provider, and occupant, while the impact of the global financial crash has applied a major brake on mortgage availability and prompted prohibitive deposit requirements for new entrants to the market. Moreover, while much attention has been given to the ‘squeezed middle’, there has been a serious decline in activity to support the needs of those who fall below this target group.

Housing that is affordable to those entering, or already in the housing market but are unable to access current planned or available supply either because of economic circumstances or stage in their lives.