We got fantastic news last week with the reveal of plans to spend a massive £39bn on affordable homes in the next decade. As the Labour Government approaches the end of its first year in power, it is wonderful to see them taking steps to deliver housing. We want to have a closer look here to see what we can expect. Then, if you want to discuss new ideas with an architect in London, you can speak to us.
The funding
Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed a multi-year spending review, the first major one outside of the pandemic. The headline is the affordable homes programme. The £39bn will allow the delivery of a new generation of housing. Funds will be available for local councils, housing associations, and developers.
The programme is getting a lot of praise for showcasing the Government’s ambition and commitment to delivering on their pledge to build 1.5 million new homes. While the announcement did not say exactly how many affordable homes will be built, there is optimism it will be a substantial number. In fact, a £2bn injection of funds in March aims to deliver 18,000 homes by 2029.
The response
There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the news, including from architects and developers. Many are praising it as being transformational. The big hope is it will kickstart schemes that have been unable to make progress for various reasons. Crucially, people want to see more affordable home starts in the near future.
As a top architect in London, we can appreciate the positivity. At the same time, we also understand why some stakeholders are warning that we need to focus on quality with new affordable homes. The last thing we want to do is look back in the future and see a generation of housing that people don’t like, or even worse, need to replace.
One of the big challenges is ensuring homes are built in areas where people want to live. However, this isn’t always easy. There can be a lot of opposition from locals that don’t want to see big developments in their neighbourhoods. Good design is vital here to win them over.
Another interesting response was to give a reminder that we can build in a variety of different ways. It is important to think about various approaches and choose the best one for each area, whether it is an infill site or a rural setting.
RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki, said the news was welcome, but that there needs to be other crucial changes. For example, there needs to be “change to enable local authorities to build and retain social housing”. Plus, he said the architecture field needs a “pipeline of talent” to deliver new homes. So, there needs to be more funding for education and learning.
Talk to a top architect in London
Coffey Architects stands out if you want to work with creative, innovative people. We can design exceptional properties, including housing, commercial buildings, and more. Most importantly, we ensure the designs will work for the area, both now and in the future. It ensures longevity and sustainability.
So, get in touch and learn more about working with an award winning architect in London. We’ll adapt to any needs, ensuring we choose the most effective approach for your project.