Government policy has prioritised growth in housing delivery, but not specifically encouraged quality.
Instead, it has relaxed a number of regulations and standards that previously helped raise the bar on housing quality, on the grounds that they might slow down delivery. In practice, housing delivery has not increased at anything like the rate needed, and the quality of new homes from a tenant or buyer point of view has declined.
Consumers are not at the centre of the housebuilding process and overall customer satisfaction levels have fallen from 90% to 84% since 2011.
Poor quality and workmanship was documented in More homes, fewer complaints, the report published in 2016 by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment. It pointed to a lack of skills and inadequate inspection.
A sellers’ market, the rush to build, and dire skills shortages, has meant consumers have suffered. More employees are leaving the industry than joining it and skills shortages look set to be exacerbated by Brexit.
For all of these reasons there is a widespread and growing sense that our approach to housebuilding needs to change to give customers more choice and better quality.
Above all, we must all start to see housing as a long-term asset. Today’s new housing should last at least 100 years. That makes every home we build a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The remedies involve everyone. The Government must demonstrate that it is prepared to show leadership and act on its promises; deregulation has not proved to be a solution and it perpetuates uncertainty.
Clients must be clearer about their objectives and design professionals and other team members must work more collaboratively.
Developers must think differently about the kind of housing they build and how they deliver it. And contractors must regain ‘pride in work’, embrace modern methods of construction and invest in skills training.
Communities and individual buyers and renters must be more involved at all stages.
If implemented, our recommendations in this report would make quality housing the norm rather than the exception. It will need a concerted effort and it will not be quick, but there is a growing sense that the time is right.
Cane Hill - HTA Design - Building Homes Better ReportShare News Article
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Contributors:
Chair, Rory Bergin
Partner, HTA Design
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