Gavin Smart reckons housing is having a good election. The Chartered Institute of Housing boss, speaking to Housing Today just over a fortnight before polling day, says housing appears to be high up the list of parties’ and voters’ election priorities.

“Every manifesto says something about housing - not every sector is able to say that,” says Smart, with a smile.

Furthermore, Smart, who emphasises the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is not party political, sees a high degree of consensus among the main parties around some of the big challenges facing the sector.

“If you read across the majority of the manifestos I think you will see a general agreement that we have got issues with housing supply, that we are not doing enough and a crucial part of increasing that supply is affordable housing, including housing let at social rents,” he says.

“There is a recognition in the majority, but not all, of the manifestos that there is a strong relationship [between housing supply] and social security and the welfare settlement and I think it is also true to say planning reform is really important [to the parties]”.