Jonathan Rolande, the founder of House Buy Fast, has called on the incoming government to make housing a top priority from the outset, emphasizing the need for long-term commitment from housing ministers to effectively address the ongoing crisis.

Since 2010, the UK has seen 16 housing ministers, with a notable seven taking office since 2020. This high turnover, according to Rolande, hampers the development and implementation of consistent housing policies.

High Turnover Hampers Progress

“Frequent changes in leadership have left the housing sector in disarray,” Rolande said. “The next government should establish a dedicated Ministry of Housing and foster cross-party collaboration to address the housing crisis comprehensively.”

Rolande advocates for a bipartisan approach to ensure a unified effort in increasing affordable housing. “Politicians should agree on the necessity of affordable housing and work together beyond party lines to achieve it,” he added.

Rising Rental Prices Highlight Urgency

The expert also highlighted the critical issue of escalating rental prices, attributing it to the shortage of new homes. “We have a chronic shortage of new homes, depriving an entire generation of home ownership,” Rolande stated. “This shortage is causing rental prices to reach unprecedented levels, with dozens of people competing for average properties at exorbitant prices just to secure a roof over their heads.”

Immediate Action Required

Rolande stressed the urgency of addressing the housing crisis from the first day of the new administration. “Regardless of who moves into Number Ten, millions agree on the importance of solving the housing crisis. The immediate priority must be to start building new homes,” he said.

Reforming the Planning System

A significant barrier to increasing housing supply, according to Rolande, is the current planning application system. “To ensure new homes can be built, we need a comprehensive review and transformation of the planning system that currently stifles builders,” he explained. “We need policies that enable builders to get spades in the ground without unnecessary delays.”

As the nation awaits the formation of the new government, the call for a stable and committed approach to housing remains clear. Rolande’s message underscores the necessity of long-term strategies and bipartisan cooperation to resolve the housing crisis and ensure affordable housing for future generations.