3 million housing target will not meet population growth

The government’s target to build 3 million new homes by 2020 needs boosting if it is to meet the UK’s population growth, a new report claims.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) says at least an extra 500,000 homes are needed in England within 12 years to keep up with the growing number of elderly and young families.

Regional statistics also show there is likely to be increased demand for extra homes in the North East and the Midlands as migrants leave the London area.

But the group has admitted its targets will be almost impossible to achieve because of slowing construction, according to the Times.

The TCPA estimates there will be a shortfall of about 750,000 homes by 2016.

The report comes only days after the National Housing Federation warned it would be “almost impossible” for the government to meet its housing target.