Dame Kate Barker CBE has been appointed to lead a new commission into England’s housing shortage.
Barker will head up the commission on behalf of think tank Radix Big Tent with the support of law firm Shoosmiths.
The Radix Housing Commission will specifically focus on responding to England’s housing shortage and its aim is to make recommendations soon after the upcoming general election.
Ben Rich, chief executive of Radix Big Tent, said: “There is a general consensus that the housing sector is in crisis and lots of solutions have been proposed, but many of them fall at the first hurdle because of a disconnect between the recommendations made and the commercial realities of the property sector.
“In establishing this commission, Radix Big Tent – which prides itself on applying innovative and entrepreneurial thinking to problem solving – is bringing together public, voluntary and private sector voices to identify practical policy solutions to one of the most enduring challenges of our age.”
Barker added: “Twenty years on from leading a review of housing supply it’s depressing to find many of the problems identified still remain. A pragmatic rethink is overdue.”
Lisa Tye, partner and living sector co-head at Shoosmiths, said: “Housing is already shaping up to be a key battleground for parties in the lead up to the general election. There have been vows to ‘choose the builders, not the blockers’, relax restrictions around commercial-to-residential conversions, and prioritise brownfield development. Much of this has been heard before, with big promises, but little delivery.
“It is vital that we move away from politicising housing delivery and provision. The message is simple – we need to build more quality, sustainable and mixed-tenure homes, boosting residential supply and choice across England and the rest of the UK. This commission seeks to unite experts from across the real estate industry to put forward a range of recommendations for the government and policymakers to consider and act upon.”
