This week David Cameron launched the government's housing strategy. It includes £400m invested in new development, the state sharing deposits on new homes for first time buyers, a reform of social housing and 50% discounts for the right to buy.
But with £4bn being cut from housing last year, how much difference will this strategy make? Will it kick-start the housing market?
Hugh Muir speaks to Nick in Bristol, who is desperately trying to get on the property ladder. He also meets Jeff, who found himself at the bottom of a council waiting list and spent time sleeping rough. How will the new strategy be of benefit to them?
The editor of guardian.co.uk/money, Hilary Osborne, explains how the new indemnity mortgages will work, and Kate Houghton from the Campaign to Protect Rural England talks of her fears for relaxed building regulations.
And joining Hugh in the studio to discuss the housing strategy is Patrick Butler, editor of Society, Health and Education policy for the Guardian; Duncan Shrubsole, head of policy at Crisis; and Alex Morton, senior research fellow of housing and planning at the Policy Exchange thinktank.
Listen to the podcast and leave comments below.
