Homes are the foundation of our lives. That’s why we’re working towards the creation of a more equitable housing market, which supports everyone who needs a decent and affordable home.
Our mission is to shape policies and strategies that create a fairer housing system, particularly for people on lower incomes. We want to see:
JRF supports this redesign by developing and advocating policy solutions that tackle the current crisis while steering the housing market towards long-term equity, using our role as funder, investor and convener to grow and promote innovative housing models.
The living standards of private renters have been squeezed by high rents relative to incomes for the past 20 years. Recent sharp increases in rental costs have only intensified this squeeze, with high rents driving financial insecurity, poverty and homelessness.
Rent controls could help ease the pressure on renters, particularly as the benefits of increasing housing supply will take time to be felt. However, their success depends on careful design.
Through new research and modelling, JRF is determining how rent controls could work in England to reduce rents without undermining the private rented sector. This evidence base will inform practical policymaking to improve affordability for renters.
To build a more equal society where everyone can thrive, we must ensure access to decent, affordable homes for all. We aim to shift the focus from housing as wealth to homes as essential for a decent life.
In collaboration with the Nationwide Foundation and FrameWorks, we've explored public attitudes towards housing, using research to guide conversations on the issues and solutions. From this we have produced a toolkit with resources designed to help anyone discussing housing and homes. Watch our short animation to learn more.
