MIPIM UK 2015: Higher densities, smaller homes and a separate use class for rental are some of the solutions that could address the UK’s housing crisis, delegates have been told at MIPIM UK.
In a session looking to address the rising inequality of London and its shortage of roughly 800,000 homes, John Gooding, chief executive of Dolphin, said the solution is not rocket science.
“It’s quite easy: we have to build more. But to do that we have to allocate land to the affordable housing and build-to-rent industry,” he said. “The build to rent industry is nervous about separate use classes. We need to be brave.”
Hilary Bukitt, head of research at Shelter, agreed, saying building more affordable homes is difficult but doable.
“Starter homes are just going to compound the problems of inequality. Building more affordable homes, we just need to work together to make that happen,” she said.
Meanwhile, Earle Arney, managing director of Arney Fender Katsilidis, said that increasing density is the solution, and it means there is no need for endless suburbs or building on the green built.
“Density is not bad, but it has to make sure we create liveable communities, not disconnected from their surroundings,” he said.
Finally, Martin Skinner, chief executive of Inspired Asset Management, said London should consider changing its space standards and increase the intensity of housing.
“My argument is to create more affordable housing by design, rather than dictate,” he said. “A simple solution: make them half the size. It may not be the most entire solution, but it is the most significant.”
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