Latest Publications

Latest Publications:

Publication

Strong foundations: The value of regenerating social housing – and how we can pay for it

The UK’s social housing stock is in need of regeneration, as many homes do not meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and fall short of its energy efficiency target of an EPC C rating. This report models the benefits of investment in social housing regeneration, for the wellbeing of inhabitants, the environment and for local economies.
Published: 04 August 2023
Author(s): Shreya Nanda, John Asthana Gibson
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Publication

Insurance and the poverty premium

People in poverty regularly face a poverty premium in the insurance market. Not only is that unfair, it also leads to worse outcomes for people, families and society – and it risks trust in the market mechanism. In this report, we conceptualise drivers of the poverty premium and call on the government, the insurance industry, and regulators to establish policies that can protect people in poverty from paying more for coverage.
Published: 13 March 2023
Author(s): Matthew Oakley, James Kirkup
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Publication

Where next for the private rented sector?

This report seeks to understand how the private rented sector might develop in the years to come, on the basis of a nationally representative survey of 1,376 adults in rented accommodation, and modelling of possible future trajectories for the housing market. Our survey finds a clear appetite from renters for policy action – both to improve the experience of renting and to help more renters to buy.
Published: 14 March 2022
Author(s): Amy Norman, Aveek Bhattacharya
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Publication

Investing in social value: Perspectives from the real estate sector

This briefing paper examines the role of “social value” in real estate decision-making in the UK. In addition to providing an overview of existing social value literature, the paper presents findings from a series of depth interviews with expert stakeholders in the real estate and investor community.
Published: 10 March 2022
Author(s): Scott Corfe, Linus Pardoe
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Publication

The Retirement Housing Dividend: Exploring the case for an expansion of retirement housing in the UK

This provocation paper explores the case for an expansion of retirement housing in the UK. It demonstrates that specialist retirement housing brings with it a range of benefits to government, retirees and wider society. This “retirement housing dividend” should be quantified and considered by policymakers, and embedded into local strategies.
Published: 05 December 2021
Author: Scott Corfe
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Publication

Unlocking the gridlock: How a more democratic planning system can help fix the housing crisis

This publication examines the inadequacies of the current planning system in providing necessary levels and quality of housing, and urges that any reforms must focus on giving local residents authority over developments in their area - to help fix the housing crisis.
Published: 25 October 2021
Author: Social Market Foundation
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Publication

Safe as houses: strengthening the UK’s mortgage safety net

This report explores the subject of “mortgage safety nets” - support for mortgage-holders in the event of loss of income or employment.
Published: 25 February 2021
Author(s): Scott Corfe, Amy Norman, Jake Shepherd
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Publication

Paying for the coronavirus

This report, written by leading taxation policy expert Michael Johnson, calls for tens of billions of pounds of new taxes to be levied on increases in the value of homes to ensure the costs of the coronavirus crisis do not fall unfairly on younger people. By imposing a new "Property Capital Gains Tax", the Treasury could accrue £421 billion over the next 25 years.
Published: 23 July 2020
Author: Michael Johnson
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Publication

Building a Better Market

Buying a home is one of the most important purchases that a consumer will make in their lifetime, and the market should work well to meet the needs of consumers. This report focuses on how to improve the market in the interests of consumers.
Published: 03 March 2019
Author: Salima Ali
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