The government has raised its household projections from 200,000 to 209,000 per year for 2003 – 2026, which indicates England is heading for a massive annual shortfall of 50,000 homes if annual build rates continue at the current level of 160,000. \"These latest household projections illustrate the new reality of England’s housing predicament,\"said Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF. \"If we fail to increase supply to help meet demand, then the social and economic implications of the housing crisis will become even more acute.\" Of the 209,000 new households per year – a projection based on 2003 census data – 150,000 are expected to consist of one person. Said Baseley: \"It is important to note that the growth in the number of single person households will not necessarily translate into a demand for smaller properties. Research demonstrates that larger dwellings are popular and widely occupied by single person households.\" The projections followed a report by the housing charity Shelter that showed mortgage repayments had reached more than 20% of the average income for the first time. Shelter director Adam Sampson said: \"These figures indicate the slow demise of the housing ladder, which is now completely out of reach for …