The big idea: could fixing housing fix everything else, too? From inequality to pollution, Britain’s housing crisis sits at the root of a surprising range of problems

4 comments

1. Would have been good to fix housing, instead of Brexit.

2. I agree. Governments are fighting over a few extra quid on pension, fighting inflation which in turn pushes up salaries and competitiveness whilst councils are paying way too much from their budgets for housing people that need state help. Dropping housing prices by +50k or rents by +£100 would have way more impact than the Government paying a few quid more a month on pensions or unemployment benefits and would suppress inflation.

   So the economics are startlingly obvious but show me a developed/capitalist country where social housing is a serious consideration with 100,000s a year actually being built?

   There’s got be be a reason, a pressure, which stops it from happening. Finance is an obvious one but maybe its the loss to big investment companies and pension funds who are heavily tied into property investments? Or maybe it’s the fear of pushing millions of existing mortgage owners into negative equity?

   Can anyone suggest WHY it doesn’t happen?

3. Good for whom? The status quo works very well for the Tories intended beneficiaries.

4. I’ve spoken to a lot of people in the tiny home community and they all say the same thing, it’s not housing that’s the issue it’s planning and land prices. If land wasn’t being hoarded by property developers/farmers/estate owners we could revolutionise things.

   I know owning a traditional house is beyond my means, but a tiny house is perfect but when land costs £40,000 plus for a small plot with zero chance of planning permission nothing is ever going to happen. A relaxation of the rules is needed.