There is much evidence that links life expectancy, life chances, health and wellbeing to the homes and communities in which we live. Over recent years and months, we have witnessed ongoing concerns about racial and sexual inequality and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further highlighted these concerns.
As an organisation we are dedicated to listening, learning and, ultimately, being the best we can possibly be to serve communities well. This pandemic has provided an opportunity for us all to re-evaluate the way we build homes and communities going forward and look at where we are as an industry so we can focus on the design of our future homes and communities to make them safer, more sustainable and of better quality to provide great places and equal opportunity for all.
As we come out of lockdown now is the time for housing associations to step forward and play our part in the recovery of the economy. We know that economic growth is weakened, and that unemployment has increased, and we know that our intervention will play a significant role in kickstarting the economy and developing skills and work opportunities. Let us take this opportunity to drive change for the better and to leave a positive legacy from this situation not just to ‘build back better’ but to ‘build back better, safer and greener’.
Development considerations
Knowing where to focus our resources is critical. On average, homes are 55% smaller than they were back in the early 1900’s. Clearly living conditions have significantly changed over time but having enough space to accommodate modern living has been fundamental to mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Providing flexible space for evolving circumstances with space to facilitate more homeworking, bedrooms that enable good sleep and rest, living space for family interaction and with kitchen space designed to facilitate healthy eating, is essential. Development is so much more than the number of homes being built it’s about creating thriving communities. At our Woodgate development with Thakeham in Pease Pottage, we’ve started work on a £4 million school at an early stage of the development as it will play a significant role in establishing the heart of the new community. With all new developments we take evolving circumstances into account; at our Lockleaze development in Bristol we are designing some homes in an open-plan style and at Quebec Park in Bordon we created home office spaces for our customers; we also offer a range of tenures and sizes to meet the needs of different individuals and families.
Access to private outside space has become increasingly important where movement restrictions have been imposed, whilst access to good local green or open space helps to ensure social interaction and community coherence. Whilst space has been important, so has access to fresh air, good daylight and ventilation. All too often these are not considered fundamental to the design criteria, but lack of these critical environmental aspects can have a very negative affect on both health and wellbeing.
Feeling safe at home should be everyones fundamental right, and the industry must wake up to issues around build quality and the construction process to ensure we deliver robust, secure and safe homes. We must embrace technology, utilise modern methods of construction and focus on the way buildings are put together on site, as well as audits on good performance, if we hope to address these issues.
Promoting a green future
Climate change has again come to the fore during lockdown and we have all witnessed improvements in air quality and viewed startling images of cleaner skies and less pollution. To build on this we must ensure that the carbon footprint of these homes is improved with a focus on thermal performance, embodied energy use and future proofed to ensure it can accommodate technology or renewable energy. A green revolution that reduces carbon but also stimulates the economy through creating new jobs and skills, reduces energy demand and cost for the residents should be the focus of future policy in this sector.
Sustainability issues are not just around the home itself but fundamentally extend into the wider community. During the COVID-19 lockdown a reliance on community cohesion – coming together to help each other, reduced ability to travel, access to local shops and facilities – has been a significant benefit to many communities, while a restriction on movement has meant it’s been a lifeline to many.
When considering sustainability in the post-COVID-19 world, we must consider it in its widest sense. Developments must have access to local facilities, be close to public transport links and good quality open space and – particularly important for wellbeing when more home-working is envisaged – situated near specific facilities that can be accessed by car rather than foot. It is important that new homes embrace these principles so that our developments engender community spirit and positively contribute to, rather than negatively exploit, existing neighbourhoods and infrastructure.
Acting on what we know
None of this is new. As an industry we have all been aware of these issues for some time and there is sufficient evidence, numerous research papers, publications and pioneering work that has shown the benefits of this approach to good design in creating decent homes and places. Recent events have served to shine a searchlight into how we live our lives and how our homes and communities’ function.
Having had this period to reflect, it would be a positive outcome if the housing industry took this moment to step off the wheel; to learn from the past and to look forward to an optimistic future where we are all proud of the homes and communities we build. Homes that are better, safer and greener than those we built before.
Executive Director of Development and Strategic Asset Management
