The industry reacted to the reshuffle warning that Prisk needs to hit the ground running to avoid a deepening of the current housing crisis.
Prisk, who has strongly campaigned to protect the Green Belt from development, takes up the new job as the Government prepares to unveil plans to give a £10bn boost to housing and relax development restrictions.
The 50 year-old MP for Hertford and Stortford has backed the Get Britain Building Campaign and as a minster in BIS had direct responsibility for the initiative to cut red tape.
He also lists urban planning and regeneration among his parliamentary interests.
Mike Leonard, director of the MMA and founder of Get Britain Building Campaign, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to his new role as housing minister.
“Mark has a great knowledge of the whole of the construction sector and was one of the three cross-party MP’s who helped us to launch the highly successful Get Britain Building campaign in 2009.
“We look forward to working closely with Mark to fix the housing market and in doing so deliver jobs and growth.
“We hope Mark will move swiftly to persuade the treasury to fund the building of 25,000 additional public rented homes.
He added: “We also need a cut in VAT to 5% on the labour costs of home improvement to stimulate work for SME builders and the UK building materials manufacturing sector, both vital to our the countries long term prospects.
“He has a wonderful opportunity to lead the turnaround of the British economy and win “Gold” for UK PLC”
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said: “While he has an unenviable in-tray, it is clear that he understands the scale of the job in front of him with his background in the sector.”
