The housing sector in Suffolk is "the worst it's ever been"
This is according to the Chief Executive of Orwell Housing in Suffolk
The chief executive of a social housing company in Suffolk says the housing sector is in crisis which is having a knock-on effect in health and education.
Charities, businesses and campaigners are calling for political parties to commit to building a new generation of social homes to end the housing emergency by building 90,000 social homes a year.
An open letter with a range of signatories including Grenfell United, The Health Foundation and Ikea is urging a "mass social housebuilding programme".
They are also emphasising the positive impact social rent homes can have on those who grow up in them.
We've been speaking to Wendy Evans-Hendrick, the chief executive at Orwell Housing.
She believes we've had "an underfunded social housing system for generations" and says this letter is "needed" for multiple reasons.
Wendy told us the significance of growing up in a "safe, secure home" and that it is "the start of everything" and has a "huge implication on people's life chances."
"It's enabling children to get a good education because if they've got a safe and secure home, they're more likely to go to school...You can get a job if you've got a good, secure home...job security"
She explained that without this, problems can arise, including health issues, lack of education, stability, etc., which can put additional pressure on other sectors, such as the NHS.
Furthermore, she explained how this additional pressure on the NHS means this service requires attention now as it is at a "crisis point." And so funding is more likely to go there instead of towards social housing.
She told us she feels if the housing sector can get to a point of stability where everyone has access to a safe home, then ultimately it would reduce pressures on services like the NHS.
"The problem is not just funding"
Although Wendy believes funding is a large contributing factor to the current condition of the housing market, and what it to be addressed she highlighted another issue Suffolk faces.
Suffolk faces problems in "affordable land" and finding somewhere to "put all of these houses that are very much needed."