collocation · neutral

housing shortage

UK/ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈʃɔːtɪdʒ/US/ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ/HOUS·ing SHORT·age

Band 4-5task2speaking

A situation in which there are not enough homes for people who need them.

Examples

Rapid population growth has resulted in a serious housing shortage.

The housing shortage has pushed rents to unaffordable levels for many families.

Government policies are needed to address the housing shortage for low-income groups.

Band 8 sentence

Addressing the housing shortage requires coordinated action across local government, private developers and community groups to increase supply of affordable homes.

Collocations

  • severe housing shortage
  • a shortage of affordable housing

Word family

shortage nounhouseless / homeless adjective / noun

Common mistakes

many housingsmany houses / a housing shortage

shortage of housingsshortage of housing / housing shortage

there is lots of housing shortagethere is a severe housing shortage

Say it for a higher band

5housing problem6shortage of houses7+housing shortage

Synonyms

housing crisis

housing problem

Easily confused

housing crisis

The city declared a housing crisis after thousands lost their homes.

housing problem

High rent is one of the main housing problems in the area.

Related words

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In City & Urban life

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