On The House: Totnes
March 17, 2022
Julia Wilson writes about the On The House Pop-Up event last week...
We had a great week in Totnes talking to people about housing in all its complexity. Here, like so many places, house prices are not accessible to most residents and there is an almost nonexistent rental market. Those properties that do become available for rent are seeing over 30 applicants per property and rents are rising.
We had conversations with lots of local people, local councillors, people involved with Atmos, community led homes advisors, architects, timber frame builders, existing homeowners whose children are struggling, homeowners looking to radically downsize and many people struggling to find secure rental property whilst buying a house climbs further and further out of reach for most. We heard about local business owners who are struggling to retain staff as less and less property is available to house them. Gathering these stories from people in the area where I grew up is just a first step and I hope it can be a starter for a wider debate and campaign to address housing as a fundamental human need.
We had a lot of discussion about:
- Land disposal and how we enable community groups to respond rapidly enough to secure land when it becomes available
- Secure and reliable funding models
- The lengthy planning process
- The potential of local government pension pots being used to support the delivery of sustainable and community led homes in each county & much more.
In addition we spoke to many people struggling to keep their homes warm. Lots of damp and draughty Victorian terraces and aspirations to retrofit them with ecological materials. We spoke to a local resident who is using natural cork external insulation. This is such a tactile material and cork forests support complex ecosystems and rely on viable economic models to ensure they can be maintained and managed.
Something I was struck by is how many people want to radically change the formwork within which we operate, build and live. People are looking for other ways to dwell beyond the traditional fixed foundations and scale of many homes. There has been lots of discussion about compact living, ways to build for less, ways to have community & support but maintain and design in individual autonomy over a private living space. We have had lots of discussion about how councils can lead the way in signposting community groups to potential sites by identifying them and favouring the long term economic value.
I grew up in Totnes. I recognise that it is one of the most affluent areas of the country. This problem is not unique to the area and it is affecting people everywhere. Hearing about the stress and instability the current system is causing for so many people confirms to me that this crisis needs to be addressed now. We are facing climate breakdown and a housing emergency. It is all part of the same issue. The result is that we have turned land into a commodity, focusing on profit instead of sustainable futures.
From the discussions, below are some measures that I feel we need:
- To address the issue of second homes with big tax rises (Wales is doing this - up to 200% rise in Council tax)
- Regulate the number of Airbnbs & ensure they are liable for council tax
- Work to educate people on the impact the loss of rental property has on personal well being and the viability of a necessary diverse population
- Build a community run hotel with profits reinvested into the community.
- Make available (and prioritise) land for community groups to design the future of land and housing for humans and non-humans.
- Fast track the lengthy delivery process for the building of alternative and affordable new homes (some projects take over 10 years to deliver) with reliable government funding for communities
- Promote ways to build that deviate from car dominated developments
- Implement rent caps and long term secure tenures
- Change the culture of home ownership as the golden ticket and the only way to a 'safe' future
- Address how renters are perceived
- Challenge estate agents' use of phrases such as 'lock up and leave'
- Implement a housing emergency hub in every town and incorporate a community-minded, not-for-profit estate agent model
- Develop funding for retrofits of the existing housing stock using natural materials that support carbon capture
The International Bill of Rights established by The United Nations recognises shelter as a human right. Housing people with the understanding that we are living on a finite planet is at the heart of my architectural ethos. Above all else, is that we are only as safe as this planet.