Property professionals and organisations will unite the RICS Housing Hub later this month, to present a front to politicians and advisors in demonstrating expertise and commitment in making the housing market work for all
Hew Edgar, RICS head of UK Government Relations and City Strategy said: “The RICS Residential Market Survey has been showing a supply crisis across both renting and buying over the last few years. The housing crisis is complex and cannot be solved by the government alone. Increased collaboration is urgently needed, and the RICS Housing Hub presents an ideal opportunity to encourage a further step-change and to demonstrate what industry working together can offer in support.
“The event will show how the sector and beyond can assist in solving a complex issue and will uncover exactly how our industry’s different professions can work together to help political figures and advisors with their specific housing drives and initiatives. This will ultimately benefit both the sales and lettings markets across the UK in building the homes we need.”
Key discussions will include:
- Should the Government continue, or introduce an alternative to, Help to Buy?
- How innovative public-private sector collaborations can boost the affordable housing market.
- How do we address housing an ageing nation?
- Should knowing the condition of a house prior to sale be compulsory, and should we start property passporting to ensure condition standards?
- How can we support a housing market for all, including all tenures?
RICS Housing Hub attracts widespread support
The Housing Hub event, held on 30 September in Manchester as a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference – is part of a large programme of RICS’ party conference activity. It has attracted wide-spread industry support from companies such as Arcadis, Assent Building Control, Bristol Housing and organisations including CIOB, RIBA, RTPI and Northern Housing Consortium, who are set to exhibit at the event.
Together, senior leaders from the property industry and political figures will look to address how to collaboratively overcome current issues holding back the housing market including a dwindling supply of affordable homes being built, a lack of government support for modern methods of construction and the private rental sector having low standards yet rising rents due to a lack of stock.
Confirmed speakers
Keynote speakers include Caroline Gumble, chief executive of CIOB who will address construction quality, whilst Marc Vlessing, co-founder & CEO at Pocket Living, will address how innovative public-private sector collaborations can boost the affordable housing market.
Professor Alan M Jones, president of RIBA will discuss design matters and how to achieve quality housing, followed by Tracy Harrison, chief executive of Northern Housing Consortium who will address how to make housing policy work for the North of England.
Other influential speakers to join the line-up include Tim Bowles (Mayor of the West of England) and Mario Wolf (director of NacSBA & the Right to Build Taskforce). These will be joined by the following experts in their fields; Marion Ellis (managing director of Blue Box Partners), Kate Faulkner (property market analyst & commentator), Simon Rubinsohn (RICS chief economist) and Jez Sweetland (project director of Bristol Housing Festival).
