Skip to main content
POLITICAL PARTIES THE HOUSING CRISIS
With decent housing increasingly beyond most people’s reach, LIZ DAVIES sizes up what the different parties are offering voters

SHELTER says that house prices are now almost seven times average incomes. Repossessions are increasing. Private rented accommodation is often the only option, whether suitable or not.

One-third of private rented homes in England fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard and rents are increasing significantly faster than inflation.

Social housing was originally seen as a right to a decent home, for anyone, regardless of income.

  • Liz Davies is a barrister specialising in housing rights and homelessness law. She is a member of Left Unity and writes this column in a personal capacity.
The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
John Wheatley. Photo: wellcomeimages.org/CC
Features / 22 November 2025
22 November 2025

Building is the solution for much of our housing crisis – and will also help to address poverty, ill health, and even anti-social behaviour and alienation, writes KENNY MacASKILL

Eviction Notice Allan Vega / Creative Commons
Housing Crisis / 14 August 2025
14 August 2025
Various For Sale, Sold and Let By estate agent signs juxtaposed next to a Dreams store in Clapham, London
Class / 18 July 2025
18 July 2025

Our housing crisis isn’t an accident – it’s class war, trapping millions in poverty while landlords and billionaires profit. To solve it, we need comprehensive transformation, not mere tokenistic reform, writes BECK ROBERTSON