The Problem
The scale
The scale — 1.34m
That is the number on English local-authority housing registers — the highest since 2014.
gov.uk · Scottish Government · Welsh Government · NIHE. Recorded on different bases and not simply additive.
England — households on housing registers, 31 Mar 2025
1.34m
Scotland — housing applications, 31 Mar 2025
180,074
Wales — people waiting for a home
~140,000
Northern Ireland — households on the waiting list
49,755
The cost of waiting
The cost of waiting — £2.7bn
Temporary accommodation is the most expensive way to house someone badly.
households in temporary accommodation · gov.uk · 31 Dec 2025
134,210
children living in temporary accommodation · gov.uk · 31 Dec 2025
176,130
council spend on temporary accommodation · gov.uk · 2024–25
£2.7bn
a year — NHS cost of people stuck in hospital waiting for supported housing · Inside Housing
£102m
The opportunity
The opportunity — £39bn
The Social and Affordable Homes Programme runs 2026 to 2036. A further £3.6bn is committed to homelessness and rough sleeping from 2026/27.
gov.uk — Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026–2036
over ten years
£39bn
homes to be delivered
~300,000
at social rent
60%+