UK property sectors address housing supply and homelessness

In the United Kingdom, property industry stakeholders are addressing housing shortages and homelessness through different regional approaches.

In Wales, Propertymark has urged the Senedd’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee to prioritize increasing housing supply. The organization noted a shortfall of 9,400 homes in Wales, with a requirement for approximately 8,700 additional properties annually over the next five years. Propertymark warned that rent controls and high Land Transaction Tax rates could discourage landlord investment, noting that 95% of Welsh letting agents believe rent controls would reduce rental supply.

On the south coast of England, SDM Property is expanding a homelessness prevention model. The agency works with local councils and private landlords to secure tenancies for individuals and families in emergency or temporary accommodation. Having secured 532 tenancies in the past year, the agency is expanding its operations into Bournemouth and Portsmouth with support from East Hampshire and New Forest District Councils.