New Toolkit Aims to Redefine Housing Quality Beyond Just Numbers
A new toolkit aimed at reshaping housing and development standards has been introduced by Southern Housing Group (SNG). The framework, called the Home and Place Toolkit, shifts the focus from simply delivering units to ensuring long-term quality in homes and communities. Industry leaders gathered to discuss its potential impact on investment, design, and local authority planning. The toolkit assesses over 140 properties across London, the South, and the West of England using three key metrics: Home, Place, and Sustainable Futures. SNG’s group chief executive, Mark Washer, described it as an evolving process rather than a fixed system. He emphasised that it is not a rigid pass-fail checklist but a flexible way to evaluate schemes holistically.
Greg Hill, deputy chief executive at The Hill Group, highlighted the tool’s ability to bring clarity to an industry often divided by inconsistent standards. The panel discussion also addressed how different local authorities have varying needs when it comes to certainty and delivery. Alex Ely, director at Mae Architects, argued that the toolkit moves the conversation away from purely numerical targets. Instead, it refocuses on people and the character of a place. He criticised the trend of homogenised housing, calling for designs that reflect local landscapes and existing social structures. Alpa Depani, acting assistant director for place and design at Waltham Forest Council, linked the discussion to the borough’s broader goals. These include sustainable growth and thoughtful placemaking. SNG itself uses the toolkit to guide investment decisions and partnerships, ensuring projects align with its long-term vision.
The Home and Place Toolkit aims to create a more consistent yet adaptable approach to housing quality. By balancing metrics with local context, it seeks to influence how developers, councils, and investors evaluate future projects. The framework’s success will depend on its adoption across the sector and its ability to adapt to diverse regional needs.
