NHF: Build more family homes

The National Housing Federation (NHF) has called on the government to develop more affordable, family-sized homes in London and other city centres.

The body, which represents non-profit housing associations in the UK, argues a change in policy is essential to prevent more families being forced to move outside of city centres in a bid to find suitable accommodation.

The comments from the NHF come as figures released by the National House Building Council (NHBC) at the end of November, which show flats and maisonettes were the principal type of housing being developed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

According to this research, flats and maisonettes comprised 51 per cent of new homes developed during the third quarter of 2007.

This trend, however, is likely to prove negative to housing conditions in the UK should it continue.

"Flats are a lot cheaper to develop which is why a lot of the new homes being built tend to be blocks of flats, particularly in London but this is something that needs to change because we are seeing a lot of flats being built where there is a real need for family sized accommodation," said an NHF spokesperson.

"Flats are fine for the people who need them, and they are probably a very affordable option for first-time buyers; suitable for single people and couples, but we have a real need, particularly in London and high value areas for decent sized family accommodation."

At present families and those on low incomes are being forced from cities, according to the NHF; a trend which is bad for both families and the environment.

"We are seeing people having to travel further and further to work because the homes within city centre areas and near places of employment are getting more and more expensive," continued the spokesperson.

"People have to move further and further out to be able to find good quality and affordable accommodation."

"This isn't good for families because the time spent travelling to work could be spent with their families.

"It's also not necessarily good for the environment because people have to travel longer. This is where building family accommodation in city centres would be a good thing," concluded the NHF spokesperson.