In a joint statement the parties stressed that access to decent quality homes is a fundamental part of solving homelessness. But pointed out that good quality social housing in the UK is becoming increasingly scarce, with not enough homes being built to replace those that are sold or demolished, and with too many  homes in disrepair and in poor condition.

With a severe shortage of good, genuinely affordable homes, millions  of people across the UK are trapped in poor quality housing.

Lloyds Banking Group chief executive Charlie Nunn commented: “The lack of genuinely affordable housing in our communities  means that too  many people are  living in insecure  or poor-quality conditions. Temporary accommodation should be a short-term  measure  but is increasingly becoming the default solution.

“We have partnered Crisis in calling for one million more homes for social rent by 2033 and, this World Homeless Day, want  to  continue  working  with  leaders  across  the  housing  sector,  UK  cities  and regions  in  order  to  help everyone access a safe and lasting home.”

Lloyds Banking Group continues to  support  housing  associations, working closely  with  them  to  innovate and support new models of social housing (including the need for retrofit and sustainability  of new builds).

At this week’s party conference Labour outlined plans to allow more building on parts of the green belt as a move to develop the “grey belt” – meaning the less attractive areas of the green belt such as scrubland and car parks.

Labour has pledged that half of homes built on this ‘grey belt’ will be sold at an affordable price.

Labour has also said it will run a six-month consultation to pinpoint suitable sites for new towns and areas with significant “unmet housing need”.

Such areas are believed to include Cambridge and around Milton Keynes, with many other potential sites being considered.