Archive Reports

Collected her are some of the best papers, research pieces and policy publications from 2016 and earlier. We also hold relevant reports from the, now dissolved, NHPAU (National Housing and Planning Advice Unit).

Further Reports

Comparing (social) objectives for decision-making in housing associations

Ortec Finance Bert Kramer, David Kronbichler, Ton van Welie, Jan Putman, de Alliantie January 2024

This report from 2006 (and entered into our archive section) focused on how Dutch housing associations adeptly prioritized their social goals during financially challenging times. The article delves into the implementation of an analytic hierarchy process, a methodology proven effective in board sessions. It facilitated the setting of priorities for each board member, establishing target levels and non-negotiables for objectives, while also determining the weights of these objectives. This process proved instrumental in guiding housing associations to strategically prioritize mitigation measures. I believe this article could offer valuable perspectives from the Dutch context. Sharing these insights in the International section might contribute to the diverse discourse on navigating challenges in the social housing sector.

New Civic Housebuilding

Shelter Pete Jefferys, Toby Lloyd December 2016

In England we are not building enough homes – and haven’t for a generation. This report argues that this problem exists because we have become reliant on one model of housebuilding: speculative housebuilding.

The LGA housing commission final report

LGA Martin Tett, Judith Blake, Julian German, Keith House December 2016

A review of the additional investment and flexibility for councils to help build affordable homes and invest in infrastructure.

A New Framework for Housing in the North

NHCC November 2016

Proposes better use of local intelligence, captured by public-private housing boards, to drive investment. Highlights the importance of regeneration to housing supply.

Redfern Review

DCLG Pete Redfern, Terrie Alafat, Kate Barker, Andy Gray, Ian Mulheirn November 2016

A real treasure trove of data and recommendations that support the proposition that a lack of long term thinking, supply issues and generational inequality is reducing home ownership. The Oxford Economics report that modelled the macroeconomic drivers of house prices and home ownership and underpins the review is also available by clicking here. The full Redfern Review can be accessed by clicking the read button

Government Housing Schemes

CML Chris Walker November 2016

Thought provoking assessment of shared ownership v help to buy, alongside a review of the current state of housing policy instruments

Going to Scale

ResPublica Phil Callan, Phillip Blond, Edward Douglas November 2016

Proposes a long-term national housing fund to deliver up to 40-75,000 homes for rent a year. The £10bn per annum fund acts as a guaranteed buyer. Ownership is shared between housing associations and the Government

Power behind the home

Localis Liam Booth-Smith November 2016

Argues against a 'one size fits all' approach and the need to give Local Authorities greater flexibility.

Profit before volumes

Sheffield Hallam Tom Archer, Ian Cole October 2016

The impact of land banks and Help to Buy on the volume house builders' profits and supply of new build properties.

Farmer Review

Cast Mark Farmer October 2016

Recommends government support to improve productivity by promoting prefabricated and other modern construction methods. Takes a post Brexit view of the shortage of labour and the impact this will have on delivering the housebuilding aspirations. Highlights potential issues related to the construction worker age demographic.

New Settlement between Govt & independent Housing Associations

Policy Exchange Chris Walker September 2016

Proposes providing larger housing associations with greater devolution in return for an increase in their building rates by 3-4%, thus increasing the sector's build rate to 100,000 homes a year. Right to buy should allow part purchase

Bricks Campaign

CEBR August 2016

A state of the sector analysis.

How to repair the housing market quickly

CWU Alex Hilton (Kristian Niemietz) July 2016

A detailed analysis and policy recommendations that cover regulation in the private rental sector and planning restrictions.

Building More Homes

House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs July 2016

A comprehensive review of the state of the UK housing market and what is needed to build more homes

Happi3

PG on Housing Richard Best, Jeremy Portas June 2016

The third of the well respected series that has increased our understanding of housing our ageing population. It looks at the emotional drivers to downsizing or not.

Are Housing Associations ready for an Ageing Population

Smith Institute Martin Wheatley April 2016

Considers the links between housing, health and social care and what can be done to improve them as well as challenging HA Boards to assess how they will cope with the ageing population between now and the 2030s

Health begins at Home

Family Mosaic February 2016

Demonstrates NHS cost savings from providing care and support in the home for the over 50s

Town Centre Investment Zone

Liz Pearce January 2016

Portas review follow up. Proposes encouraging investment in housing in town centres using enterprise zone type support.

Beyond Business Rates

Centre for Cities Louise McGough, Hugo Bessie January 2016

This report proposes encouraging councils to develop their local economies by allowing them to keep stamp duty as well as business rates. Also covers other devolution ideas.

Farewell to First Time Buyers

SERC, LSE Felippe Carozzi December 2015

All you need to know about the current state of the first time buyer market and the economic implications.

Elphike-House Report

DCLG Natalie Elphike, Keith House December 2015

If you want to better understand the constraints and potential of local authority house building this is the report for you.

Lyons Review

Michael Lyons December 2015

Comprehensive report covering how to better release and use public sector land, give councils freedoms, ensuring tenancies follow need and are not for life and a call for better data.

Planning as a market maker

RTPI Alex Lord, Phil O'Brien, Olivier Sykes, John Sturzaker November 2015

An in depth analysis into the planning lessons we can learn from our continental neighbours

Rethinking planning obligations balancing housing numbers and affordability

JRF Sue Brownill, Youngha Cho, Ramin Keivani, Ilir Nase, Lesley Downing, Dave Valler, Nicholas Whitehouse and Penny Bernstock July 2015

Planning obligations have emerged as one of the main ways in which new affordable homes are built but their operation varies according to local housing market conditions and has been affected by recent policy changes. This research re-examines the effectiveness of planning obligations and uses case study research to identify how the supply of affordable housing can be increased in areas where planning obligations are not meeting local needs

Housing in 40 years

Joseph Rowntree Foundation Mark Stephens December 2014

This research explores how the housing market is likely to change in the coming decades and how this effects poverty and living rents.

Tenancy Management

HACT Mary-Kathryn Rallings December 2014

A great summary of how housing associations can improve social mobility, aspirations and the potential to free up housing stock.

Freeing Housing Associations

Policy Exchange Chris Walker December 2014

This review of financial capacity and scope to increase building rates in the housing association sector has influenced policy.

Immigration and the Access to Social Housing in the UK

Centre for Economic Performance Diego Battiston, Richard Dickens, Alan Manning, Jonathan Wadsworth April 2014

Looks at the effect of immigration on access to social housing. Subscribers to the Economic Journal may also like to read 'Immigration and House Prices in the UK' by Filipa Sa.

Perspectives on ageing and housing

Hanover Various, see this link December 2013

Hanover's comprehensive analysis into how housing and attitudes need to respond to an ageing population. The above is the final summary chapter. All the other chapters are available here.

Building the homes we need

KPMG and Shelter Pete Jefferys, Toby Lloyd, Andy Argyle, Joe Sarling, Jan Crosby, John Bibby. October 2013

This report has been written through close collaboration between housing policy, financial and housing market experts in KPMG and Shelter. It draws on a wide range of expertise and new research to address the problems and propose solutions.

Delivering large scale housing

RTPI Joe Sarling, Richard Blyth September 2013

A report that tries to cut through the 'too liberal/too bureaucratic' debate on the UK planning system. Includes 15 recommendations.

Innovative Financing of Affordable Housing

JRF Kenneth Gibb, Duncan Maclennan, Mark Stepphens March 2013

This report reviews international evidence from selected case studies, as well as examples from specific UK nations. It also looks in detail at a small set of specific case study policies.

Housing affordability: a fuller picture

NHPAU National Housing and Policy Advice Unit December 2009

Extracare & local housing need

Aster Living December 2009

A brief but useful analysis of the housing stock tied up by older owner occupiers that seeks to demonstrate the downsizing multiplier effect. Every one person rehoused in extra-care provides released capacity for two-three.

Factors Affecting Housing Build-out Rates

Dept of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow for CLG David Adams and Chris Leishman February 2008

This report seeks to explain housing ‘build-out’ rates, by drawing on relevant academic and practice literature, national survey work among 18 housebuilders and a particular local example, where one large site has been developed by ten separate companies.

Hills Report

ERC John Hills December 2007

John Hills assembles a wealth of material in a report that made an impact in understanding how social housing helps communities and social mobility.

Every Tenant Matters

DCLG Martin Cave June 2007

Fundamental review that led to the TSA/HCA. Also recommended the setting up of national tenancy body.

Barker Review

Kate Barker March 2004

A report that really set the agenda for more house building by demonstrating the negative economic impact of building homes at below an annual rate of 200,000-240,000. It makes a strong case that building in response to a financial bubble exaggerates the downturn. Recognises the economic importance of location rather than just build numbers.