More housing please

In all the debate around the government's planning reforms, we are in danger of losing sight of the fundamental problem - the current system has failed to deliver enough houses, of the kind people want, in the places where they want to live. Solving this fundamental problem requires us to build more housing. Every other 'radical' solution so far proposed is either insufficiently radical to make much difference (empty homes) or sufficiently radical that it's hard to believe it represents a good solution (empty bedrooms).

For those who would like more detail:

• My post outlining the problems with proposed radical solutions.
• Some reflections on the recent housing strategy.
• SERC's Max Nathan on the government's planning reforms.
• A criticism of the alternative planning proposals from the National Trust.
• Joseph Rowntree Task Force on the Housing Crisis.
• Martin Durkin's enjoyable rant against the Telegraph's 'Hand's off our land' campaign.

Enjoy.