Sometimes it might be hard to believe that we currently have a housing crisis, when you see thousands of new homes being built across the country.

The government has set ambitious targets for the number of houses needed to fix the crisis.

The most recent target was for 300,000 homes a year. This has meant local authorities have accelerated the number of homes being built in some areas.

Land for these homes to be built on is in high demand. Locally the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan included a call for sites in the area which could be used for housing or economic development.

Most of the new housing being built is creating suburbs to towns and cities. However, new housing developers face criticism over the quality of new housing.

Many of these developments also lack provision of other services such as shops, public transport, parks and recreational spaces, schools and access to healthcare.

The housing crisis is not just about the lack of housing in many areas, but the lack of high quality housing, which meets the needs of local communities.

It has long been accepted that there is a significant link between housing and health.

Having access to good quality, suitable and secure housing has a profound impact on our health and wellbeing and, therefore, our quality of life.

As summarised by Public Health England, ‘the right home environment is critical to our health and wellbeing; good housing helps people stay healthy, and provides a base from which to sustain a job, contribute to the community, and achieve a decent quality of life’.

However, covid has highlighted the many of the inequalities society faces.

None more so than housing. As we have all spent more time in our homes, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of having somewhere secure and comfortable to live.

Poor quality housing is not always just structurally poor, though in many cases it is. But could also be over crowded, have limited access to outdoor space or suffer from poor air quality and ventilation.

A new report produced by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) highlights the vast sum of money that is spent treating health problems caused by living in substandard homes.

With millions on the housing waiting lists, and many more with no choice but to accept poor quality housing due to general shortages.

More homes are needed, but we also need to make sure those homes also include the things which people need to have a good quality of life.

This means that not only do the homes being built need to be of high structural quality. But they also need to have amenities such as local shops nearby.

Along with places for people to meet and exercise, such as parks and playgrounds, transport and workplaces. The housing of the future should be designed with quality in mind, not quantity.

Quality housing is an investment, leading to better quality health and wellbeing.

‘The children came out in silence and showed themselves to be so respectful of our special guest, Veteran Tony Portman. It was a privilege to host him at the school and I am humbled at how the students rose to the occasion. Taking time to think of others and reflect on our values as a school and as a country is key to ensuring the upholding of our democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance.’