Who should build our homes?

CABE is launching a debate about who should build our homes. As the housing market begins to stabilise after a traumatic period of decline, a new report asks whether we should focus on restoring the way things were done in the boom or explore new models of housebuilding.

The debate starts with six housing experts contributing their own strong views through a collection of essays entitled Who should build our homes? They put the case for much less reliance on build-to-sell and for renting to become the norm once again. They also argue for self-build and community commissioned housing to enter the mainstream instead of being marginalised at the periphery.

Christine Whitehead, professor of housing economics at the LSE, points out that housing supply never came near to meeting demand. She argues for a planning framework which incentivises the right sort of development at the local level.

Peter Studdert, planning director for Cambridge’s growth areas, calls for local authorities to be set free from central government restraints so they can play a more active role in funding and delivering new homes.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, wants to see a move away from the build-to-sell model and a positive attitude to renting from investors and consumers.

Stephen Hill, director of C20 futureplanners, champions the self-build movement and its potential to create high quality places.

Pooran Desai, co-founder of the BioRegional Development Group, argues that climate change should be tackled at the neighbourhood scale.

Dickon Robinson argues for a more diverse tenure mix, and that developers need to be incentivised to build larger homes.

The debate will continue with an expert workshop in January.

Notes to editors

• Who should build our homes? is available to download from www.cabe.org.uk/publications/who-should-build-our-homes
• CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places. www.cabe.org.uk