Our 2023 proposals:
The Housing Forum is the UK’s only cross-sector, industry-wide organisation that represents the entire housing supply chain. Our membership drawn from across the housing sector is committed to partnership working and sharing a vision of ‘A Quality Home for All’. In order to achieve this, we have set out the policies that would be needed for everyone to live in a good quality, sustainable and affordable home.
Poor housing quality causes homelessness, poor health and a lack of opportunities in life. Housing shortages make housing unaffordable and hold back economic growth.
Fixing our housing crisis won’t be easy, but we believe there is a way forward. Our vision for housing in 25 years’ time includes sufficient housing for everyone, supported by improved infrastructure in well-designed places where communities flourish.
We want all political parties to commit collectively to support a long-term plan for housing – both in terms of stepping up the delivery of new housing and improving the condition of the existing stock.
Forward commitment is key. To build the homes we need, a consistent policy environment is required to enable housing businesses to plan for the long term. Suppliers, manufacturers, and the full supply chain need to be supported by an effective procurement process.
The Housing Forum Housing Solutions proposal sets out what we believe is needed from policy makers and those who fund housebuilding and guide government investment in housing. Our three key asks are:
Increase housing supply – A Quality Home for All our citizens is essential. Housing should be seen as part of the growth agenda – as essential as transport infrastructure – and needed to address labour shortages in many areas. This includes better resourcing the planning system, so that the quality homes of the future can be delivered.
Improve quality, safety and sustainability – We must dramatically reduce the carbon emissions from housing. We need to drive the standards of new housing up further and faster and to support supply chains based on new technologies, alongside a national retrofit strategy.
Ensure affordable housing and choice for all – Funding is needed for affordable housing sector to deliver homes for those in need, and to enable housebuilding to continue over a period of housing market downturn. A range of housing products is needed to ensure choice for all generations.
You can read our full proposal here: Housing Solutions: What’s needed for delivery?
In summary, our proposals are:
Increasing housing supply
Ensure housing is at the heart of decision-making by appointing a Secretary of State for Housing as a cabinet member
Drive up housing supply with ambitious housing targets and policies to ensure that they are met
Improve public sector procurement to underpin supply and quality
Underpin housing supply with an effective planning system
Intensify partnership working between housebuilders and local authorities to commission supply
Quality, safety and sustainability
Support a cross sector roadmap to housing sustainability with visibility of long term investment to achieve low carbon targets in both new and existing homes
Skilling up the workforce to delivery and maintain the homes of the future
Support visibility of forward investment by the supply chain
Increase use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to futureproof the housebuilding industry
Commit to post occupancy monitoring and ensuring that planned low carbon targets are understood by and are being delivered for residents
Improve building safety
Deliver design quality
Ensure affordable housing and choice for all
Commit to long-term sufficient funding for building affordable homes
Ensure that local authorities are supported to maximise affordable housing delivery
Ensure choice for all
Support community-led development and self and custom build approaches
Work towards a fairer regime for rents and housing costs for both residents and housing providers
Enable low income households to rent homes in the marketed rented sector
We set out how these can be achieved in our full proposal here: Housing Solutions: What’s needed for delivery?
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