Our Current Housing Crisis

The Barbican Centre, London

https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-commit-to-building-100-000-new-council-houses-every-year-for-30-years

Our housing crisis in the U.K is an extremely complex matter which has worsened substantially over the past few decades. The need is not just for more housing but more affordable housing and an alternative means of securing a property; rather than the current system we have in the U.K.

Even when an individual is fortunate enough to secure a housing association property, one of the limited council houses available, or even purchase their own home, the space available may still not be appropriate for their needs at the time or their needs in the future. The option of moving when a family grows or when circumstances change may not be possible due to limited housing stock or just not affordable.

I have helped many of my clients to alleviate their situation using my skills as a designer with a sensitivity to cost. Often by reconfiguring the interior of the house or adding on a small extension the situation can be drastically improved and life changing in many instances. See the example (right) where an extra bedroom was created allowing the client's children to have their own rooms as they grow older into teenagers.

Whether you require extra bedroom spaces, separate more private living areas for different members of the family, extra bathrooms, or a more accessible property for an elderly or disabled user, there may be a number of options available to you. With careful design, the potential of your property can be unlocked to suit your needs, often with less cost outlay than you may expect.

Another scenario is when young adults are living in their parents houses for longer due to high rents in the private rented sector or not being able to secure an affordable property. The requirement to save a substantial amount of money for a house deposit is also a major issue resulting in this. Reconfiguring the home can often ensure all members of the family can reside in harmony and for longer periods of time.

Although the subject of the housing crisis is much broader than discussed above and needs to be resolved at a political level, if we can improve our existing housing stock and maximise its use to suit people in the meantime the well-being and lifestyles of people can be improved.

Please contact me for a free consultation if you are in a similar situation and I will be happy to listen to your requirements and work out an affordable solution for you.