Home building generates more than £60 billion of social and economic value for local communities across England and Wales, new research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) suggests.
New homes built in England and Wales last year funded 42,000 new school places and more than 1,640 football pitches-worth of community space, the HBF’s data shows.
In England alone, the 209,000 homes delivered in 2024/25 are estimated to have generated more than £60 billion. This includes £9 billion for affordable housing and £1.3 billion for infrastructure, including around £600 million for schools and £188 million for open spaces and leisure facilities.
The HBF claims this supported £46 billion of economic activity, with £6 billion of spending in local shops and the creation of 734,000 jobs, including around 9,000 apprentices.
In Wales, the 5,159 homes completed in 2025/26 generated a further £1.1 billion in economic activity, alongside £230 million for affordable housing, £32 million for infrastructure and support for around 18,000 jobs, according to the HBF.
Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the HBF, said: “Behind every new development is a wider contribution that helps the community grow and thrive. As the government’s devolution agenda gives local leaders greater responsibility for shaping the future of their areas, it is more important than ever that we work together to unlock housing delivery and ensure the benefits of new homes are felt by both new and existing residents.”
