Thinkhouse

Thinkhouse is a free online library of research pieces, policy publications and case studies that propose ways to increase the amount and quality of the UK's housing stock and the related economic, social and community benefits of doing this. The site is curated by an independent panel of experts who select the best and most innovative reports for particular attention in our Must Read section. To promote and encourage a new generation of researchers the panel have created an Early Career Researcher's competition. Users can contact us to subscribe to the weekly email update and for speech writes we have a bite size facts page.

Recent Reports

For more reports go to our Reports section.

Affordable living: Alternatives to the traditional homeownership model

Social Market Foundation Niamh O Regan, Jamie Gollings April 2024

High house prices are putting homeownership out of reach for many, but rising rents and insecurity of tenure make the private rental sector an undesirable long-term option. This report  looks at the role social and cooperative housing can play and what the UK can learn from other countries.

Shared Ownership

House of Commons: Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee April 2024

Shared ownership schemes are drastically failing to deliver an affordable route to homeownership for too many people and subject buyers to rising rents, uncapped service charges, and a disproportionate exposure to repair and maintenance costs.

Let down: Rental regulations, subsidies and tenants’ rights across the English-speaking world

Social Market Foundation Jamie Gollings, Niamh O Regan April 2024

The UK’s private rental sector has grown since the 1990s, but long term renting is still not an attractive option for many due to high costs and limited renters’ rights. This report presents lessons for the UK from across the English-speaking world.

On Our Side: Improving Services for Young People Experiencing Homelessness

New Horizon Youth Centre & London School of Economics Laura Lane, Ellie Benton, Ruby Russell April 2024

This report aims to find out what really happens when young people go to their local councils for housing support.

Fair decarbonisation of housing in the UK: A sufficiency approach

Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, London School of Economics and Political Science Ian Gough, Stefan Horn, Charlotte Rogers and Rebecca Tunstall March 2024

This paper addresses a neglected aspect of the UK housing crisis: how to rapidly but fairly decarbonise the housing stock to meet tough net zero targets while meeting housing needs of the entire population.

The running cost of domestic heat pumps in the UK

CaCHE Nicholas Harrington March 2024

A review of whether heat pumps are economically competitive.

The Affordability of Community-Led Homes

Nationwide Foundation, Sheffield Hallam University Tom Archer and Ian Wilson March 2024

This short briefing and case study sheds light on the role that community-led housing could play in addressing the shortage of affordable homes in the UK.

From Wear and Tear to Disrepair

Care & Repair Cymru March 2024

This short briefing reveals a concerning rise in instances of hazardous disrepair in Welsh homes and the serious consequences this is having. Disrepair significantly impacts health and wellbeing and prevents simple adaptations like handrails and stairlifts from being fitted for people who need them.

Housing Outlook Q1 2024

Resolution Foundation Adam Corlett & Lindsay Judge March 2024

This briefing considers whether the UK’s housing woes are shared by other developed economies, or if the issues of housing affordability and quality we highlight so frequently are distinctly UK phenomena.

Dwelling on it: Housing crises in the English speaking world

Social Market Foundation Jamie Gollings March 2024

Countries across the English-speaking world are wracked by a housing crisis that is pushing the matter firmly up politicians’ agendas. This  paper  provides an overview of the scale of the crisis in homeownership, private renting, social housing and homelessness across the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Home economics: Financial policies to increase homeownership

Social Market Foundation Gideon Salutin March 2024

Homeownership is a dream for millions in countries across the Anglosphere, but rising prices have put that dream out of reach for many households. This report – the second in a series on the problem of housing – surveys homeownership challenges and policies in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland to understand what has gone wrong and how we might fix it.

New Safer Renting Report: Licensing Private Rented Homes – Insights and Experiences from 5 London Boroughs

Cambridge House Roz Spencer and Julie Rugg March 2024

This study tells us Selective Licensing needs strengthening with enhanced programmes of inspection and enforcement.  It recommends improving enforcement powers with measures such as annual property inspections and continuing schemes until there is evidence it is no longer required
More Reports