Support for new affordable homes doubles in England since 2010

Nimbyism is in decline in England, according to a new survey from the National Housing Federation, and a similar proportion of English people support the building of affordable homes as agree that the NHS should remain a universal service and that Britain should continue having a monarchy.

The British Social Attitudes survey, carried out by NatCen, found that compared to 2010 when 27% of people backed building new homes in their back yard, now almost double, 57% support new homes and this rises to 73% if the new build developments are affordable for people on average local incomes, the same proportion who back a British monarchy and just 1% less than support for a universal NHS.

The survey found that 69% of homeowners support new affordable homes with just 18% against the idea.

The results confound traditional views of which type of political and social groups normally oppose local housebuilding.

70% of those surveyed aged over 55 support new affordable homes and there was strong support across different political viewpoints. Unsurprisingly, Labour backers were the most enthusiastic, with 83% supporting new affordable housing, but there was also strong support from other wings of the political spectrum, with 75% of Liberal Democrats, 72% of UKIP supporters and 64% of Conservative identifiers, backing the sentiment.

Geographically, support was widespread too, with over two-thirds of people all nine English regions behind new affordable homes being built. Support was not just from urban areas like London that are experiencing an acute housing shortage. 65% of those who said they live ‘in a country village, a farm or a home in the countryside agreed.

Respondents also felt that it was time for government intervention for the housing market to support the need for more new homes. 73% agreed that the government should give financial assistance to people on low incomes, to help them afford rental costs.

This is backed up by the strong view that any sale of public land by government should be used to prioritise the building of affordable homes to buy or rent rather than for building homes for sale at full market value. 86% against 9%, agreed with that.

David Orr, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation said: “We are entering the age of the ‘yimby’. More and more of us are saying ‘yes, in my back yard!’ This shift is not limited to one group; it has taken place in our cities and countryside, across political allegiances and all age groups, as home owning parents watch their adult children struggle. Today the housing crisis is everyone’s problem.

“There is a growing consensus that the Government must intervene in the housing market. And that this intervention must go beyond traditional market mechanisms; the homes the public want built are affordable homes. It is only housing associations that can build the types of homes the public want at the scale the nation needs.

“We are no longer a nation of nimbys but some in Westminster have yet to grasp this. The public are clear: we need to build affordable homes all over the country. The upcoming White Paper is an opportunity to set a bold new course, one in tune with the public.”