The annual publication identifies the number of housing starts and completions in England

Government housing accelerator Homes England has published its latest annual housing statistics looking at the period between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019.

The findings show there were 45,692 new houses started on site under programmes managed by Homes England and 40,289 houses completed. These are the highest levels of starts for nine years and the highest levels of completions for four years.

Of the starts on site, 67 per cent were for affordable homes – a 10 per cent increase on 2017-18. Similarly 71 per cent of housing completions in 2018-19 were for affordable homes which is an 11 per cent increase on 2017-18 figures.

A total of 17,772 affordable homes started in 2018-19 were for Affordable Rent – a 4 per cent increase on the previous year. 11,560 were for schemes including Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy – a 24 per cent increase on 2017-18. The remaining 1,231 were for Social Rent – a 12 per cent decrease on the previous 12 months.

Of the affordable homes completed, 18,895 were for Affordable Rent – representing a 4 per cent decrease on the previous year, whereas the 8,854 completed under affordable housing schemes including Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy represent a 75 per cent increase on 2017-18.

Nick Walkley, chief executive of Homes England, said: “At a time where the average house costs around eight times the average income, these are positive signs that the delivery of homes, and particularly affordable homes, is on the up.

“However, there is still a huge amount of work to do to make sure this trend continues. We’re just getting started and need the sector to join us in our mission to make sure we continue to deliver homes across the country for the people who need them the most.”

Housing Minister, Kit Malthouse MP, said: “It’s great to see our housing accelerator has their foot firmly on the gas with nearly 29,000 new affordable homes finished last year.

“Getting these properties built is all part of our cast-iron commitment to making sure everyone has the opportunity to realise the dream of a stable home.

“But there is more to do, and so this Government is providing serious support, including £44 billion of funding and guarantees, to build more, better, faster.”

The figures reflect the latest set of official statistics in relation to housing starts and completions for England, excluding London, for all programmes except those administered by Homes England on behalf of the Greater London Authority.

The list of programmes included in these totals are detailed in the official housing statistics report, which can be found here.