Policy influencing
Having a decent, affordable home in a safe, well-designed neighbourhood is the foundation of a happy, healthy life.
But there is a big problem with the way most homes are planned for and built in the UK: there are systemic and structural barriers that prevent the homes and neighbourhoods we build from delivering for our health and wellbeing. This has led to too many people having to live in poor quality, unaffordable homes often in disconnected places, with knock-on effects on both their mental and physical health.
This situation is not inevitable though. And, with others, we’re working to influence policy in ways that will help to improve health and wellbeing across the UK.
Quality of Life Foundation asks for the next government
As we head towards a general election, we’ve set out a set of three asks for whoever has the privilege of forming the next government:
Ask 1: Commit to reducing health inequalities through interventions in the built environment
Ask 2: Ensure new homes are built in the right places, with the amenities and infrastructure that enable positive outcomes for health and wellbeing
Ask 3: Ensure that housing developers deliver social value, rather than focusing only on the number of homes built
Better Planning Coalition
The Quality of Life Foundation is one of over 30 organisations that makes up the Better Planning Coalition.
The Coalition represents organisations across the environment, housing, planning, heritage and transport sectors with one common goal: a planning system fit for climate, nature and people.
This broad range of organisations formed the Better Planning Coalition to campaign for the biggest upgrade to planning rules for at least a generation and are working together to influence the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and the forthcoming review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Our work with the coalition focuses heavily on health and wellbeing. We play an active role in the Health and Wellbeing Working Group, supporting an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that would create a statutory duty to address health inequalities.
Read a briefing on the Better Planning Coalition’s health inequality amendment
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