Housing Minister launches 'home of the future' competition

The government has launched a competition to attract what it calls “the best and brightest talents of the housing industry” to design the homes of the future.

In recent months House Secretary Robert Jenrick has been critical of the appearance of new-build homes and now his new Housing Minister - Christopher Pincher - is calling for small businesses, designers and manufacturers to propose ideas.

The properties should be low-carbon age-friendly homes “meeting the highest standards of design” and appropriate for the country’s growing older population.

Three finalists will have the opportunity to partner with developers to deliver homes on a site owned by Homes England.

This follows the government’s recent consultation on a future New Homes Standard, requiring all new homes built from 2025 to have 80 per cent fewer carbon emissions than today.

“This competition will harness all that technology has to offer to bring in a housing revolution: new low carbon homes that deliver low energy bills and independent living for older generations” says Pincher.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government says homes are responsible for 25 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions.

Applicants for the competition must submit an outline design for homes that are:

- age-friendly and inclusive – appealing to a variety of age groups and adaptable to how needs will change as people become older;

- giving a low environmental impact – applying technology and construction techniques to deliver net zero carbon emissions;

- healthy living – promoting better health and wellbeing, such as through access to green spaces and communal areas;

- deliverable & scalable – homes that can be rolled-out across the country.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel to produce a shortlist of six applicants, then asked to develop detailed plans for a specific site scheme.

All six will receive £40,000 of funding to help them deliver their plans.

Three winning entries will then be chosen and winners will be introduced to Homes England development partners to explore the possibility of developing bids for a series of homes on Homes England land.