Beyond numbers
Think tank: Fabian Society
Author(s): Iggy Wood; Ben Cooper; Miles Ward
January 15, 2026
This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society examines what makes somewhere a great place to live and how policymakers can get there.
For many years, England has been in the grip of a disastrous housing crisis.
Chronically low rates of building have made both renting and buying a home extraordinarily expensive, and millions are suffering as a result. Quantity, however, is not the only consideration. People want to live in attractive, high-quality homes in flourishing communities.
In this pamphlet, experts weigh in on what makes somewhere a great place to live and discuss how policymakers can get there.
