Dame Kate Barker CBE is set to lead the newly established Radix Housing Commission, a pivotal initiative aimed at addressing England’s housing shortage.
Undertaking this crucial task on behalf of the radical centre think tank Radix Big Tent, with support from law firm Shoosmiths, Dame Kate Barker brings her expertise to spearhead this endeavour.
The Radix Housing Commission is set to delve into four interlinked issues at the heart of England’s housing crisis. First on the agenda is the exploration of strategies to liberate more land for development, a critical factor in overcoming housing scarcity. The commission will also assess the role of specialised housing, catering to diverse needs such as students and older individuals, ensuring a comprehensive approach to accommodation.
Additionally, sustainability will be a key focus, evaluating how housing initiatives can align with environmental considerations. Finally, the commission will scrutinise measures to ensure affordability, recognising the urgency of making housing accessible to a broader demographic.
Richard Blyth, Head of Policy and Research at the Royal Town Planning Institute, and Elsie Owusu OBE, Founding Chair of the Society of Black Architects, add their perspectives to the commission. The inclusion of Vicky Pryce, Radix Fellows Chair and former Head of the UK Government Economic Service, further amplifies the depth of expertise driving the commission’s efforts.
The Radix Housing Commission aims to expedite its recommendations shortly after the anticipated General Election, signifying a commitment to prompt and actionable solutions. On launching the Commission, Radix Big Tent chief executive, Ben Rich, said:
“There is a general consensus that the housing sector is in crisis and lots of solutions have been proposed, but many of them fall at the first hurdle because of a disconnect between the recommendations made and the commercial realities of the property sector.
In establishing this Commission, Radix Big Tent – which prides itself on applying innovative and entrepreneurial thinking to problem solving – is bringing together public, voluntary and private sector voices to identify practical policy solutions to one of the most enduring challenges of our age.”
Dame Kate Barker CBE added:
“20 years on from leading a review of housing supply it’s depressing to find many of the problems identified still remain. A pragmatic rethink is overdue.”
The Commission will be meeting publicly and privately over the coming months and will be inviting experts involved in the real estate sector to provide evidence, ahead of submitting proposals to the next government, spanning planning policy, land, and unlocking investment.
