TV architect George Clarke slams government issue on housing market crisis

13 February 2024 , 11:38

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TV architect George Clarke slams government issue on housing market crisis

TV architect George Clarke fumed as he discussed how the current government 'only thinks about home ownership' during a discussion about the housing market crisis.

The 49-year-old lecturer and writer appeared on Tuesday's Lorraine and said he would build more social housing if he were a politician as it's "what we need." Speaking to host Ranvir Singh, he explained: "We need more social housing for social rent. It’s as simple as that.

"When we built social housing throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s, okay some of it might not have been great but I think with the good architects and good designers we have around today we can create beautiful social housing in Britain. It’s genuine affordable homes that we need to fix the housing crisis."

Ranvir asked why he thinks affordable social housing hasn't been created yet, with George joking she would 'get him in all sorts of trouble today.'

He said he would build more social housing if he were a politician (ITV1)

George fumed: “We have become obsessed with home ownership and this particular government only thinks about home ownership. That’s fine if everyone was in 100% home ownership, great, you’ve solved the housing crisis. But that’s never going to work.

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“And because there has been this big problem with supply and demand, homes have become massively unaffordable. You talk about homes being seven, eight, nine, ten times your average salary. You can’t go to the bank and borrow money, you just can't get onto the property ladder. Social housing is the answer.”

Millions of people in the UK are having to wait to start families or make big life choices because they're not sure about their homes, a survey recently revealed. About 14.1 million adults in England feel stuck because they don't have a secure place to live, and it's even more common for younger folks under 35. The survey, done for the Hyde Group housing association, comes as new numbers from the ONS show that last year rents went up by 6.1% in England - the biggest jump ever.

Wales had an even bigger hike in rent prices, with a 7.1% increase over the year. Andy Hulme, the boss of Hyde Group, said: "When more than four in 10 adults aged under 35 are telling us they are putting off starting a family because they aren't sure where they can live, the main political parties have to start listening."

Watch Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1 & ITVX*

Zara Woodcock