This briefing paper discusses the need for new housing in England and trends in housing supply, as well as barriers and solutions.

Estimates have put the number of new homes needed in England at between 240,000 and 340,000 per year, accounting for new household formation and a backlog of existing need for suitable housing. In 2017/18, the total housing stock in England increased by around 222,000 homes. This was 2% higher than the year before and the amount of new homes supplied annually has been growing for several years but is still lower than estimated need.