Housing need intensifies

Today, an estimated 1.6 billion people lack access to adequate housing. As affordability deteriorates driven by housing costs that consistently outpace average incomes, the need for scalable, long-term solutions becomes more urgent.

A shift in perspective may be necessary. Could reframing housing as core infrastructure unlock longer-term investment and encourage greater policy community? Doing so could strengthen economic and social outcomes and could also help mobilise the scale of funding needed to address the global housing shortage.

When housing is treated with the same strategic importance as transport or energy networks, it has the potential to become more attractive to long-term capital providers.

Countries already embracing a bigger picture approach 

Countries such as Singapore already take this integrated view, embedding housing with national infrastructure planning alongside utilities and social services.

Similarly, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands maintain robust social housing sectors as part of their long-term public policy frameworks.

Policy innovation is beginning to reflect this shift. In England, changes to the Development Consent Order regime are streamlining planning for housing tied to major infrastructure projects.

Of course, redefining housing as infrastructure is not a panacea for the global housing crisis. In an era defined by demographic pressures, affordability concerns and sustainability imperatives, such a re-framing may be essential for cities seeking to build housing and the scale and pace that is required.

Further information

Contact Kelcie Sellers

Impacts – the future of global real estate