Housing Crisis: Local Leaders, Bold Solutions

In this episode of Urban Forecast by Ackroyd Lowrie, we talk to Jack Shaw, councillor at Barking and Dagenham and senior advisor at Labour Together. Jack shares his journey from an unexpected start in politics to becoming a key voice in housing policy and local government finance. We dive into the realities of delivering affordable housing, the challenges of local authority budgets, and the role of political leadership in shaping sustainable communities. From discussing the moral case for housing to unlocking innovative solutions for urban challenges, this episode provides a thoughtful look at how we can truly define the future of our cities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Power of Local Leadership: Strong political leadership is essential for councils to unlock housing delivery and infrastructure projects.

The Moral Case for Housing: Building homes isn’t just about numbers—it’s about improving lives and creating equality.

Temporary Accommodation Crisis: With record numbers of people in temporary accommodation, councils face immense financial and moral pressures to act.

Financial Struggles of Local Authorities: Many councils are at risk of unbalanced budgets, impacting their capacity to deliver vital services and housing projects.

Innovative Council-Led Solutions: Models like Barking and Dagenham’s Be First demonstrate how councils can drive housebuilding while navigating financial risks.

Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Effective urban planning must address social inequality while meeting sustainability goals.

Alignment Across Government Levels: A unified vision between local and national governments is critical for achieving ambitious housing targets.

Challenges of Prescriptive Policy: Overly rigid frameworks like the London Plan can hinder flexible, locally-tailored housing solutions.


BEST MOMENTS

“Temporary accommodation isn’t just a financial burden—it’s a moral one. We need to prioritise housing to improve lives.” – Jack Shaw

“Councils can’t meet housing targets without strong leadership, financial stability, and innovative thinking.” – Jack Shaw

“It’s not just about delivering homes. It’s about making sure they support sustainability and equality.” – Jack Shaw

“Local government finance is a balancing act—every decision has ripple effects on housing, services, and communities.” – Jack Shaw


VALUABLE RESOURCES
Labour Together
Ackroyd Lowrie

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Labour Reacts to the budget: Can we deliver £1.5 million homes

ABOUT THE HOSTS
Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.

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