UK councils have argued that the sluggish rate of housebuilding in the country means that existing homes must house more people and last longer , leading to the country spending nearly as much on repair and maintenance of existing homes as it does on building new ones . In 2010 , £ 27bn ( $ 34.5bn ) was spent repairing existing homes while £ 35bn was spent on new homes . Research by the Local Government Association ( UK ) revealed that the average new home will have to last 2,000 years if the current rate of housebuilding and replacement continues .
UK councils have warned that the sluggish rate of housebuilding in the country means that existing homes must house more people and last longer, leading to the country spending nearly as much on repair and maintenance of existing homes as it does on building new ones. In 2016, £27bn ($34.5bn) was spent repairing existing homes while £35bn was spent on new builds. Analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed that the average new home will have to last 2,000 years if the current rate of housebuilding and replacement continues.