A recent 'Westminster Social Policy Forum' brought together some amazing industry experts and data to help brief on the future of the housing market from a supply perspective and an in depth look at the Private Rented Sector. In this report I run through some of the key issues raised which give an insight into what might happen in the housing market, especially in London, in the future.

Can we finally start tackling the real housing crisis?

It was great to be asked to be the first speaker at this event - mainly because I could sit back afterwards and enjoy and absorb what everyone else had to say.

One thing that struck me throughout the event was, for the first time, I think all industry professionals, whichever sector they work in, are urging the government (whatever colour or coalition) that we can only build our way out of this crisis now. And there is now a belief that we have the people, the money and the will to achieve more than we've ever done in the past.

To me, the housing market is currently under extreme 'rationing' and that's a problem, because rationed markets are difficult to control, especially because people make irrational decisions. People panic, overpay for property, believing it will only ever go up in value. And we saw the impact this had on novice investors prior to the credit crunch. Many who put their money into inner city centre 'new build' flats outside the South East/West and London - who are now going to struggle to see their value recover to the crazy prices they paid for them pre credit crunch. Some flats I have seen remain 50% below their original price. And with property prices forecasted to grow by around 3% each year from now on, it'll take some time, if ever, for these homes to recover their value at all.