Why don't we start a lottery to help build new houses for people?

[CrosswordAddict]

Why don't we start a national lottery (or use the existing one) to help solve the homeless crisis. We could build affordable houses for people and make jobs for people in building trade. It would be something tangible that people could recognise as a real benefit to ordinary people.

Nice idea but who owns the houses and are they sold for profit or at cost and who gets the money? So I buy an 'affordable' house but want to move. If I sell it do I make more money to cover a move or sell for the price I bought it for and get an affordable house elsewhere? This idea used to be known as 'council housing' but this idea went against the policies/ideals of politicians 30 years ago

You might be interested in the work of Habitat for Humanity which is active in the UK as well as the third world. It's not lottery based, but does do useful work, and could be a blueprint for doing much more.

round here houses and flats are going up daily, they're certainly building them and someone if making a profit!!

Hadn't thought it through but I think I meant properties for people to rent or maybe rent at first and then have the option to buy.
It could be a bit like council houses but maybe with more flexibility.
Also lots of people do not want to buy a property if they are often moving around with their job. Also we need the housing in the areas where the jobs are.

Excellent suggestion - would also help the economy as well. - There could be some special ''elder'' accommodation built with cheap rents or other ''attractions'' so that as on another thread some larger council houses could be freed up for family's

There are currently 730,000 empty homes in England, 300,000 of which have been empty for more than 6 months.