Government targets for the construction of three million new homes by 2020 across the UK are set to be supported by new research from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

The CIH and Oxford Brookes University have been commissioned to conduct a project investigating the management of land supply, which is vital in the pursuance of affordable housing delivery, it asserts.

Policymakers, housing providers and households are all set to benefit from a greater understanding of land supply management, since it affects the means by which increased housing supply and sustainable communities can be developed.

Sarah Webb, deputy chief executive of the CIH, remarks: "Recent government announcements show the importance of management of land supply to the delivery of more housing in sustainable communities.

"We’re keen to help housing professionals and the new housing and regeneration body to improve policy and practice in this area so they can support delivery of national priorities."

In recent days the CIH has welcomed prime minister Brown's plans for increased housing supply, stating that it looked forward to influencing government thinking on future housebuilding plans.