Introduction
The vital need for decent and affordable housing means we are at a tipping point. Rising costs, constrained council budgets, and an ever-growing demand for quality homes are just some of the challenges the sector is facing.
Compounding these issues are challenges within the construction sector itself, including a shortage of skilled workers and disruptions to supply chain availability, both of which risk delaying projects and increasing costs. But opportunities are emerging, too.
The government has set an ambitious target to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament, alongside proposed changes to planning policy and infrastructure designation.
It has also announced £2 billion of grant funding to deliver up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes. There is widespread agreement that there is a critical need to deliver high-quality homes fit for future generations.
But how can local authorities achieve this while grappling with the challenge of maintaining their existing stock?
The solution lies in constructing more sustainable and healthy buildings.
This way, we build resilience in housing stock for the future and prevent issues, such as what we’re facing today, where the stock isn’t fit for purpose.
We hope that the Government’s ambitious targets and decisions will kickstart the delivery of much-needed homes. However, there are plenty of hurdles to overcome. Historically, there has been a divide between the public and private sectors, but collaboration is essential to overcoming these challenges. With change comes the opportunity to work together and build lasting communities. Kier Construction is partnering with local authorities to deliver thousands of homes, and we believe that discussions like these are crucial in addressing the housing crisis.
Kier Construction, a trusted partner in local authority housing delivery, hosted a roundtable with London local authorities and consultant partners to explore how working together can help councils navigate these challenges.Attendees discussed constraints to delivery, the importance of early engagement, and the need for a holistic approach to value. There was a shared sense of excitement and energy around the opportunity to turn the current crisis into a catalyst for positive change. By reframing challenges as opportunities for innovation and collaboration, the conversation highlighted key areas for action and the opportunity to do more together.
Kier has exemplar engineering and technical expertise, enabled by a breadth of built environment skills and experience. With our extensive in-house design and engineering capabilities, we can help local authorities to deliver much-needed housing in efficient and cost-effective ways.
Kier's design and engineering business includes specialist mechanical and electrical engineering teams, ground and temporary works as well as specialist modern methods and digital construction teams, plus decarbonisation engineers. By bringing these end to end capabilities together we can quickly advise clients on optimal solutions to meet their needs now and in the future.
