The facts are stark: in 2015 London’s population passed its previous peak of 8.6 million people and continues to grow. The population is likely to be around 10 million by 2030, adding nearly 70,000 people and 34,000 jobs every year.

The private housing sector is at maximum capacity, there is a shortage of skilled labour, a shortage of some materials, and it is not to housebuilders’ benefit to radically shift the imbalance between supply and demand. Smaller housebuilders were decimated in the last recession thus making it more difficult to address the sort of smaller and more difficult sites that abound in the capital.

It is clear that there is no silver bullet that will increase the level of house building and make up for years of under investment. That is why the NLA sought new ideas from architects, contractors, manufacturers, economists and housebuilders. We wanted to look at a multitude of ways that we could implement to chip away at the big numbers that are needed.

We were not disappointed. This study illustrates a wide range of ideas and approaches to the delivery of new homes – some that can be delivered within the current regulatory system, others need a shift in policies in planning and funding. The ideas, in the main, occupy areas of delivery not covered by the major housebuilders and, taken together, can go a long way to making up the shortfall of the current system.

A home is fundamental infrastructure for a decent life – it is as basic a human need as food and water. A civilised society would not accept people managed without these nutritional basics so why does it seem to put up with such stark inequality or shortage of accommodation in London? London, with its global reach, productive economy and vibrant atmosphere, has recently created many thousands of new jobs and thus continues to attract fresh residents year on year in search of their livelihoods. But it cannot create more land. And in that basic imbalance is the housing problem born in the capital.

Affordability is the other crucial factor at play, and is a factor not solely related to that lack of supply. Renting or purchasing accommodation in London is so expensive relative to earnings that it hurts many Londoners, causing flight outwards or away, overcrowding, or at worst, homelessness.

The ‘supply failure’ issues do not stop there. Have we got the right sized homes for our households? Does their tenure and regulation provide very necessary stability? Are existing London homes in an enduringly fit state, affordable to run, and easy to get into and around? Are they chronically under or over occupied? All of these factors compound to exacerbate both the affordability and supply crisis, and may not lead society necessarily to ‘building more homes’ as an exclusive solution.

So what exactly is the situation now, how did we get here, and what do we do next? 

1. NLA Insight Study

Foreword
By Peter Murray, NLA Curator-in-chief and Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property 

Introduction
By Claire Bennie Architect and Housing Development Specialist 

Industry viewpoints
From experts in the build environment addressing London's current issues.

The ideas...
100 best ideas on delivering more collaborative and innovative housing solutions, with a highlight of the 10 winning teams and focusing on:

2. Project Showcase
With schemes representing the best new housing developments currently taking place across the capital, whether recently completed, under construction or at design stage.

NLA Insight Study
Published October 2015
193 Pages
ISBN 978-0-9927189-6-1 

Project Showcase
Published October 2015
109 Pages