'Moral responsibility' to sort out housing crisis

THE Archbishop of Canterbury is to call for an end to “short-termism” in housing policy as a new report advocating decent homes across England is launched.

Justin Welby said problems with housing are “blighting the lives and futures of millions of people” and there is a moral responsibility to change this.

The Homes for All report, setting out a new vision for England’s housing system, is to be launched in the House of Lords today.

It says that the phrase “England faces a housing crisis” has “become common parlance – and lost its power to shock”.

The report calls on the government to legislate for a body on housing, modelled on the Climate Change Committee, which advises on emissions targets and reports to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.