On 16 March 2023, the Centre for the New Midlands held an affordable housing roundtable at Eighteen, 103 Colmore Row in Birmingham and the report summarising our discussion is available to download here.
The aim of this roundtable was not simply to agree on the extensive barriers preventing our region from delivering the affordable homes we so urgently need. Rather the discussion focused on reframing what affordable housing means for different stakeholders in the region, how we might work collaboratively to overcome barriers and enhance affordable housing supply and drawing together a set of key policy priorities to support the delivery of more affordable homes.
The six policy priorities which were identified through the discussions and which need to be addressed to ensure the delivery of more affordable housing are:
1. A cohesive affordable and social housing strategy
2. Policy reform: Supply and demand side subsidies and the Right to Buy
3. Making the social value case for affordable and social housing
4. Planning policy as an enabler and not a barrier
5. Engaging communities in the planning and delivery of affordable homes
6. Diversifying delivery models and approaches
The Centre for the New Midlands is currently in discussions with the West Midlands Combined Authority and leading regional housing associations, housing charities and community led providers to develop a research programme that will help provide an evidence base to drive and help shape housing and communities policy priorities.
This research agenda includes both shorter evaluation and pilot studies alongside developing a longitudinal research programme to grow a rich, rigorous and regional evidence base for critical policy making.
If you are interested in joining this discussion and research programme, as a funder, research partner or in an advisory capacity please do get in touch with Chris Smith (chris@thenewmidlands.org.uk)
With special thanks to our friends at whg and RSM UK for their generosity in enabling this conversation to take place.