International law firm Trowers & Hamlins has contributed to Future of London's report: Affordable Housing: Overcoming crisis through collaboration, looking at new models of collaboration in funding, retrofit and community involvement.
The report sees collaboration between stakeholders including London boroughs, housing associations and for-profit investors is the key to tackling the capital’s housing crisis and comes following a year-long project on ways to tackle the affordable housing crisis.
In response to this ongoing crisis, Future of London hosted a series of events during 2022, including their annual conference so public, private and voluntary practitioners could consider ways to increase access to affordable homes.
The strong consensus was that improving cross-sector collaboration was needed to increase delivery of new affordable homes. Public, private and voluntary sector partners must develop a shared vision, even when organisational objectives may be different.
Trowers Partner Amy Shaw says:
“The need for good quality housing, especially affordable housing, remains a pressing need. Trowers & Hamlins are delighted to have contributed to Future of London’s report looking at how collaboration can help unlock delivery.”
Report author Anna Odedun, Head of Knowledge at Future of London says:
“Collaboration alone won’t solve the affordable housing crisis, but it is a key tool. There are several barriers to successful cross-sector collaborations, including a lack of shared vision and an imbalance of resources. There is also a reluctance to share with the wider sector when things haven’t gone so well so we can all learn.”
The report argues that making more efficient use of existing housing stock is vital to tackling homelessness in London. For example, it highlights the way two London boroughs, Camden and Waltham Forest, have addressed retrofit, and L&Q’s £2.9bn investment to improve health and safety of its existing stock.
Using case studies of innovative housing solutions and advice from senior practitioners, the final report shows there are innovative ways to close the gap between housing supply and demand.
Find out more and download the report.
