Half England Unviable For New Homes Amid Rising Costs

New housing development in England faces significant financial viability challenges, with nearly half the country deemed unsuitable for new builds and delivery considered difficult in two-thirds of areas, particularly those needing affordable housing. The cost of construction has risen sharply, outpacing selling price increases, while demand has weakened due to the end of government equity loan schemes and rising mortgage rates. In New Hampshire, a widening income-to-home price gap has made housing increasingly unaffordable for average families; median home prices now require incomes nearly double the state's median household income, with only about 15% able to comfortably afford median-priced homes. Despite steady income growth, housing costs and rents have increased much faster, exacerbating affordability issues amid persistently low housing supply. State efforts to reduce regulatory barriers aim to address the crisis, but affordability remains a critical concern for residents and policymakers alike.