£2bn for Housing: A Start, But We’re Still Falling Short

☉ RISE Design Studio | Architects + Low Energy Experts

Build more. Build faster. Build better. That’s the promise. But scratch the surface and what we see is a sector still being asked to solve a housing crisis with one hand tied behind its back.

The government’s announcement of an additional £2bn per year for social and affordable housing is a welcome nod to the challenge. But when you’re facing a storm, you don’t just patch the sails - you rethink the ship.

We don’t just need more homes. We need good homes. Homes that are built to last. That lift people up. That don’t cost the earth - in every sense.

Contemporary affordable housing designed with enduring materials, natural ventilation, and community-focused landscaping – architecture that balances beauty, sustainability and social value.

Not Just Shelter - A Foundation for Living

Affordable housing isn’t just about cost. It’s about dignity. Wellbeing. It’s about building a society where people can feel safe, warm, and supported - not just stored.

At RISE, we design with the long term in mind. Natural materials, low-energy systems, homes that breathe and age gracefully. It’s time this became the baseline - not the exception.

The funding could unlock around 18,000 homes. But the housing crisis isn’t just about numbers. It’s about quality. No one should be growing up in a damp, temporary room with no natural light and no place to feel at ease.

And yet, 123,000 households are in temporary accommodation. This isn’t just an economic issue - it’s a health and education crisis too.

The Planning System is Still a Maze

We’ve said it before: planning needs purpose. Not just reform for reform’s sake, but bold moves that remove friction and reward integrity.

Right now, permission for modular and temporary homes is held back by the same red tape that slows down traditional builds. But modular design has the power to meet urgent needs fast, and sustainably.

A fast-track process for certain types of housing - temporary or otherwise - could help deliver homes at the speed and scale required. The pandemic proved that bureaucracy can move quickly when it matters. Let’s not forget that.

Sustainability Must Lead, Not Follow

When you look at the real cost of construction, the numbers go far beyond spreadsheets. Rising energy prices. Poor indoor air quality. Materials destined for landfill.

We believe the next phase of housing must be regenerative. Buildings that don’t just reduce impact - but improve the world around them. Think homes that harvest rainwater, use solar gains smartly, and are airtight but breathable.

If we’re serious about meeting our climate goals, sustainability can’t be an afterthought. It needs to be stitched into policy, procurement and practice.

Levies + Labour: The Elephant in the Room

The proposed £3.4bn building safety levy - introduced in the wake of Grenfell - has its heart in the right place. But if we pile too many costs on small developers and housing associations, we risk freezing the very engine that could solve the crisis.

We also can’t ignore the skills gap. £745m over five years is a start, but let’s be honest: we need a pipeline of talent who can actually build what’s being promised. And they need to be trained in tomorrow’s techniques, not yesterday’s habits.

Rising National Insurance contributions only make recruitment tougher. To reach the target of 305,000 new homes a year by 2030, we’ll need more hands, more heads, and more heart.

It’s Time to Build Smarter, Not Just More

The government’s vision is ambitious. But ambition without clarity is just noise.

To truly move the needle, we need:

• Planning that supports good design, not delays it

• Incentives for quality over quantity

• Investment in skills and systems

• A joined-up approach to affordability and sustainability

• Policies that reflect the urgency of the climate crisis

At RISE, we believe this moment calls for more than another cycle of top-down targets. It demands collaboration, creativity and courage.

We’re ready. The sector is ready. Now the government must meet us halfway.

Better Buildings, Better Living

☉ At RISE, we believe that housing is more than a roof over your head. It’s a catalyst for change - social, environmental and economic. Every project is an opportunity to build a better way forward.

Thinking about your next housing development - one that treads lightly, lives well, and stands the test of time?

We’d love to help you shape what’s next.

Let’s start with a conversation:
→ architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk
→ 020 3947 5886

☉ RISE Design Studio
Architects | Interior Designers | Low Energy Experts
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