AS ELECTION fever begins to take hold, I would like to draw readers’ attention to one matter that should be in the minds of politicians of all persuasion. Our region – like many other parts of the UK – is facing a housing crisis.

Thousands of new households are being created each year, but recent years have seen fewer than half of the homes we need being built. At this rate, by 2031, there could be a shortfall in our region of 200,000 homes. Unless action is taken soon, most families will have a member or relative desperate for an affordable home.

As the largest developer of affordable homes in the region, Yorkshire Housing is calling on politicians of all parties to end the housing crisis in a generation.

The Homes for Britain campaign has brought together people who need homes with organisations representing every corner of the housing world, including housing associations, the Home Builders Federation, the National Housing Building Council, the Royal Institute of British Architects and homeless charity Crisis to name a few, who are united in the aim of pressing home this message.

Readers can play their part by writing to their councillors and MPs to make sure that housing remains a key matter for politicians to address together.

To find out more information visit homesforbritain.org.uk

Mervyn Jones, Chief executive, Yorkshire Housing, Dysons Chambers, Briggate, Leeds.