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Covid-19 means fewer homes, charity warns

SOME 84,000 fewer homes could be delivered in England this year due to the impact of coronavirus, a housing charity warns today.

Projections by Shelter show output could fall from about 255,000 last year to 171,000 homes in the financial year 2020/21.

The research includes existing properties being converted, as well as new properties being built, and warns that as many as 318,000 new homes could potentially be lost over the next five years.

Further decreases could potentially be triggered by reduced demand during a protracted recession, with Shelter urging the government to fast-track spending on homes to help plug the gaps.

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: “By bringing forward planned spending and building social housing, the government has the chance to avert disaster.”

A government spokeswoman said: “Building the homes the country needs is central to the mission of this government and is an important part of our plans to recover from the impact of the coronavirus.”

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