Rishi Sunak launches the 2024 Conservative Party manifesto.
The Conservative Party/Flickr
The current Conservative government has not met actual housing need in England. The proposals in the party’s manifesto are not likely to either.
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Access to nature is provenly beneficial. Yet the UK’s urban green spaces are poorly funded and are vulnerable to local government budget cuts.
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Small towns and villages have become places of both abundant investment wealth and social poverty.
Gypsy and Traveller communities have long suffered from inadequate housing solutions.
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There is a long history of the UK government failing to adequately provide for Gypsy and Traveller communities’ needs.
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To truly make UK housing safe and healthful for residents, the government needs a comprehensive strategy.
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The top 40% most energy efficient homes aren’t counted as being in fuel poverty, no matter what their bills or income are.
An artist impression of a later living project that prioritises accessibility and adaptability.
Faye Sedgewick
By 2050, 25% of the UK population will be over 65, yet only 9% of the country’s current homes meet basic accessibility standards.
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Too often government policy is not designed with the long-term in mind. Instead, short-term economic outcomes and political gains are prioritised - to the detriment of public health.
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A handful of large companies dominate the UK housing market, which may affect new-build supply.
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Multigenerational households are the fastest growing household type in England and Wales but living with extended family is a commitment not to be taken lightly.
New Islington Marina in Manchester.
Matt Newton|Unsplash
The UK government aims to enforce beauty through the planning system’s design codes. But intangible qualities like beauty are best achieved by challenging architects – not constraining them.
The Vista Building, in Woolwich, south London, was converted from office space into flats in the early 2000s.
Nathaniel Noir|Alamy
Removing local authorities’ ability to oversee how the built environment changes will not solve the housing crisis. In fact, it might make inequality worse.
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Time is running out to ensure that people in fuel poverty can afford to keep warm this winter.
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An expert breaks down the new proposals.
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Throughout last winter, 81% of homes in a new study were colder than the recommended minimum – the coldest fell to a minimum hourly average of 5 degrees. Cold homes can have deadly consequences.
A London pub protected by live-in guardians.
Kake/Flickr
Guardianship is generally presented as a ‘win-win’ business model. But many guardians do it out of financial stress, not choice.
Campaigners and scholars have long highlighted the need fior reform in social and private rental housing.
Carolyn Jenkins | Alamy
Tenants in social housing and the private rental market alike face discrimination and a lack of disrepair regulation.
The government’s response to the housing crisis has been to build more homes.
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England’s housing strategy will consume our entire carbon budget by 2050 – there are alternatives, but they face political and economic barriers.
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It would be better to focus on building.
Srdjan Randjelovic / Shutterstock
Governments acted swiftly to reduce homelessness during the pandemic. Their actions could tell us how to end it permanently.