The Radix Big Tent Housing Commission Report October 2024 – Our Response

The Radix Big Tent Housing Commission Report (October 2024) offers a timely, holistic framework to tackle England’s persistent housing crisis by promoting a connected, integrated approach to housing delivery. With the bold aim of delivering 1,000 homes per day, the Commission presents recommendations that address every layer of housing infrastructure, financing, policy, and sustainability. The report emphasises the need to reframe housing as vital national infrastructure, with the potential to drive economic prosperity, reduce inequality, and improve public health.

One of the Commission’s core insights is the interconnected nature of housing policy, recognising that housing delivery cannot be tackled through isolated, linear policy changes. Instead, the report argues for a systemic approach—one that aligns governance, funding, planning, and execution to ensure meaningful, sustained improvements in housing availability and affordability. For example, since 2004, the housing affordability ratio has worsened, with the median house price now standing at 9.1 times the median annual earnings. This sharp increase underscores the need for a strategic and inclusive approach that can bridge the affordability gap.

A crucial component of the Commission’s strategy is a recommendation that proposes the establishment of a Housing Delivery Unit and an Independent Statutory Housing Committee. This body would function as the core governance unit, coordinating between government departments and agencies to streamline housing delivery and planning. Centralising housing policy under one body would prevent the common issue of fractured responsibility, where policies fall short due to inter-departmental misalignment. With this cohesive approach, housing policies could move beyond simple project approvals to encompass sustainable planning and delivery that anticipates and addresses broader societal needs, such as transportation, utilities, and local economic growth.

Another key recommendation emphasises the importance of rental tenure in the housing mix. The report notes that 19% of England’s homes fall under the private rental sector, while social renting accounts for 16%. To address affordability challenges, the report suggests policies that actively support a variety of tenure types, including long-term rental, affordable rental, and ownership models, alongside new financing approaches like institutional investment in rental housing. By creating stability in rental markets and promoting affordability, the government could attract long-term investment, stabilise rents, and provide viable options for people who may not yet be in a position to buy.

Cowan Architects is full aligned with The Radix Big Tent Housing Commission Report’s call to diversify tenure options. We have recently written about the transformative potential of tri-tenure and mixed-tenure developments, highlighting their advantages both socially and in providing diversified income and risk mitigation for investors. We believe that accessibility, sustainability, and adaptability should be integral to every rental development, ensuring properties meet diverse needs and promote independence for tenants, including those with disabilities. Achieving this requires a commitment to inclusive, high-quality design across all rental and ownership models.

The Commission’s report makes it clear that addressing the housing crisis requires a unified, cross-sectoral approach, where housing is treated as essential infrastructure. By creating a structured Housing Delivery Unit, supporting varied tenure models, and ensuring strategic alignment across sectors, England can move toward a housing system that meets the needs of all residents and supports broader societal goals. This coordinated framework is critical for addressing the current housing permacrisis and for building a sustainable, accessible housing future.

Cowan Architects supports the Commission’s holistic approach to the housing crisis. Reflecting this commitment, Simon Spiteri, Director at Cowan Architects, notes, “We are ready to work with any public or private sector body to help in the delivery of much-needed homes in the UK. Housing has a complex ecosystem where design plays a critical role in delivering economically viable, energy-efficient, and high-quality, healthy homes.”

Our ‘get it right first time’ approach has proven to be a successful foundation across our residential, retrofit, and regeneration proposals. By prioritising inclusive, high-quality design across all rental and ownership models, we aim to meet diverse needs and ensure the delivery of homes that are sustainable and profitable.