[we are told population is falling so why do we need all these extra holmes?-ed]

BRITAIN is facing a housing crisis with a potential shortfall of 1.4 million homes, according to experts.

A comprehensive analysis projects an increase of 3.5 million households by 2021, or 175,000 extra households per year, The Times has learnt.

Housing experts claim that house-building needs to increase by 33 per cent from the current 154,000 a year to 220,000 a year to meet the rising demand, or the country faces spiralling homelessness and overcrowding. If building levels remain as they are there will be a shortfall of 1.4 million homes in 15 years. About 160,000 houses were built in 1950, rising to 291,000 in 1970. But this fell gradually to 135,000 in 2000, increasing only last year to more than 150,000.

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