Building new homes must also be strategically distributed across the country. While the demand for housing is widespread, it’s particularly acute in urban areas where job prospects and educational institutions are concentrated—a shift from the pandemic trend that saw a rise in rural living. Cities like Manchester and Leicester have experienced significant property price surges, with growth rates of 87% and 85% over the last decade according to the ONS.
Each region also has its own unique housing needs. Some suburbs are home to older populations, others cater to students, and certain neighbourhoods draw in specific types of buyers or renters. This variation is reflected in the recently updated local housing targets, revised by Labour in July. In addition to reinstating mandatory targets, the calculation method, previously based on outdated data, has been refreshed. The new approach ensures that housing development is proportionate to the community size, while pushing for more ambition in the most unaffordable areas.