A long-term strategy for housing: Lessons learned on the role of institutions and governance
Think tank: City-REDI
Author(s): Linda Christie
October 8, 2025
This report from UK think tank City-REDI reflects on lessons learned on the role of institutions and governance in housing strategy.
The UK Government has announced a £39 billion funding package and five-stage plan for social and affordable housing in England, with a comprehensive 10-year strategy due in 2025. This report reflects on the housing contexts of Scotland and England, drawing comparative lessons to strengthen institutional design, governance, and long-term planning for England’s housing policy.
It finds that while both nations face persistent challenges—supply shortages, affordability pressures, homelessness, fragmented responsibilities, and weak integration with wider policy—Scotland’s more coordinated governance, statutory housing rights, and stable planning frameworks provide useful contrasts. England’s reliance on market-led approaches, combined with short-term political cycles, inconsistent funding, and fragmented oversight, has undermined strategic capacity and delivery.
The analysis concludes that England requires systemic reform, including stronger institutions, empowered local authorities, cross-party commitment, and integrated governance structures, to ensure continuity, accountability, and long-term investment. Without such reforms, ambitious housing targets will continue to be missed; with them, a sustainable, equitable, and resilient housing system can be achieved.
