FMB: Co-living and micro-homes most popular solutions to housing crisis

New research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has shown co-living and micro-homes to be the preferred solutions to the UK housing crisis.

The FMB surveyed 2,000 homeowners across the country. Recipients were asked whether or not they believed the housing crisis was a reality and, if so, how best to deal with it. Two-thirds (66%) said they thought the UK was experiencing a housing shortfall. When asked about the most appropriate response, they recommended:

1. Building more co-living developments (33%);
2. Building more micro-homes in urban areas (31%);
3. Building more granny flats (31%);
4. Extending permitted development rights (27%);
5. Encouraging more multi-generational living (24%);
6. Excavating or convert more basements underneath existing properties (18%);
7. Building on the greenbelt (17%).

For the uninitiated, micro-homes are defined as any dwelling measuring smaller than 37 square metres. Their limited size means that they can be built in bulk on tight urban sites. Meanwhile, a co-living developments might be a series of small private studios that share spaces and facilities.

Commenting on the research, Brian Berry – Chief Executive of the FMB – said: “While these solutions are food for thought, if we want to solve the housing crisis, we need to reduce barriers to small, local building firms. Recent research from the Federation of Master Builders shows that the lack of small sites and difficulties hiring skilled tradespeople are limiting the amount of homes these firms can build.”

Berry continued: “Currently SME house builders build less than one quarter of all new homes and as this proportion has declined, so too has the capacity of our industry to deliver the homes we need. Reviving the fortunes of SME builders undoubtedly has a key role to play in delivering the Government’s target of 300,000 new homes a year in England alone, and is key to solving the housing crisis once and for all.”

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