Event

Confronting the housing crisis: The bold steps needed to deliver affordable homes for all

This event hosted by UK think tank the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Prospect magazine will discuss ideas that could help shape a stronger, fairer housing system in the UK.

Radical change is needed to redesign the UK’s housing system. That’s why it is encouraging to see the Labour Party make tackling the housing crisis a central focus of its early government agenda.

While the government’s initial rhetoric has been promising, its success will ultimately be judged on whether it delivers on its commitments. Meeting these pledges will be a significant challenge—one that cities, regions, and countries globally are also striving to overcome.

This event will bring together experts from the UK and beyond to share insights, evidence, and innovative solutions for addressing rising housing costs, barriers to homeownership, and homelessness. By learning from successful approaches elsewhere, we aim to uncover ideas that could help shape a stronger, fairer housing system in the UK.

This event will explore the following key questions: 

• Urgent need for housing reform 
• Labour government’s commitment 
• Global housing challenges 
• Lessons from other countries 
• Practical solutions for the UK 

Leading Panellists

Bill Blain – Founder of Windshift Capital and Host of Morning Porridge, UK

Darren Baxter – Principal Policy Advisor – Housing, JRF, UK

Maria Sisternas – Urban Design & Housing Policy Advisor, Girona City Council, Spain

Teija Ojakoski – CEO, Y-Säätiö (Y Foundation), Finland

The debate will be led by Alan Rusbridger – editor of Prospect