There has been much national publicity lately regarding the lack of new housing, and the long waiting list for social housing, and rented accommodation.

For many years it has been apparent to the property industry, that when comparing the population growth with the number of new houses being built, that this whole housing crisis was just waiting to happen.

With property prices having reached in 2007 almost unaffordable levels for first time buyers, this added further pressure for housing stock. Those who would normally have been purchasing their own property now have to resort to renting and have been added to the waiting list for rented properties. The levels of enquiry for private rented accommodation through our offices have been at an all-time high and for every property that becomes available to rent, landlords have a choice of perspective tenants.

For a country which for years has been encouraged by government to own their own property and to improve, extend and invest their money in their home. It is no surprise that once funding dries up it affects the whole economy, from the building industry right through to soft furnishing manufacturers.

Perhaps this is why it is becoming increasingly evident that government is now making funds available through housing associations for new housing to be built. Where developers are struggling to sell their properties, then again there is evidence that housing associations are buying surplus stock, thus increasing the percentage of social housing stock on private new developments.

Kidderminster like many other towns is seeing former brownfield sites now being reclaimed, and being used for residential housing. This is a positive step in the right direction, and should help to improve the general economic situation and at the same time produce much needed housing.

There has been much debate, as to whether further areas of land on the edge of towns should be made available for development. But so long as there are redundant old factories, then the use of brownfield sites, particularly those near town Centres need to be developed first, as this is a more efficient use of land. With town Centres changing as retail parks take over as opposed to the traditional high street, then redundant office suites in town Centres if converted into residential flats, result in more life being introduced into the town Centres. The demand for office accommodation is at an all-time low and there are thousands of square feet of office accommodation lying empty in Kidderminster town Centre alone.

In Stourport on Severn the rejuvenation through new building is also gathering momentum. Marina developments are now well advanced, either in planning or actual construction or with residential housing and leisure properties being built around the river Severn; this again is a way in which land which for years has had development potential is now being brought into use, thus adding housing and prosperity to the area.

Construction is definitely a way in which an area can be rejuvenated and so long as funds are available for such developments, then construction could well be a way of helping put the economy back on track.