Chris Brown
CommentFrom fabric first to smart heat: the changing face of retrofit
We are seeing a revolution in how we upgrade our homes but we must make sure those in poverty can benefit, writes Chris Brown
CommentHere are some alternative housing policies for the new government
New towns, 1.5m homes and building on the green belt will use up the UK’s entire carbon budget but there are other things Keir Starmer can do, writes Chris Brown
CommentTime for long-term planning to meet society’s needs
Politicians must stop opting for short-term bribes and instead pursue large-scale policies to build a community-led economy to deliver the housing we need, writes Chris Brown.
CommentClimate emergency: The housing sector is having trouble understanding the costs of not changing
As we look to the new year, businesses need to realise they have to head in a different direction to survive in the future, writes Chris Brown
CommentThe built environment is a big culprit on climate change – but you can help
Chris Brown sets out steps housing and construction businesses can take to help us to net zero
CommentGovernment inaction on retrofit leaves housing caught in the Jevons Paradox
The newly created department of energy security and net zero needs to take urgent action on to make heat pumps a widespread technology or it will fail to bring homes up to the standard needed to meet the UK’s net zero targets, writes Chris Brown
CommentTime to focus on insulation carbon trade-offs to tackle our leaky homes
As the government prepares a plan to deliver its latest carbon budget, Chris Brown discusses the options for insulation of our housing stock
CommentHousebuilders are under pressure on net zero but their approaches are inconsistent
The housing world feels different post-COP26, writes Chris Brown
CommentWhy public funding is a must in our net zero strategy
Chris Brown looks at the huge political battles ahead in the race to net zero and argues that the case for public funding is clear.
CommentHouse prices are about to get walloped by energy ratings that brand homes sub-standard
The housing sector may not be fully aware of the risks but the world of finance is already moving to reduce its exposure, says Igloo’s Chris Brown
CommentEconomic rethink offers hope of long-term solutions
Climate change and local deprivation are far too serious issues for our short-termist system of democracy to solve. Cross-party agreement on fiscal expansion is the way to go, writes Chris Brown
CommentGovernment cannot avoid funding cladding repairs
The idea of giving leaseholders loans to meet the costs is deeply flawed, says Igloo’s Chris Brown
CommentLevelling up means Homes England re-prioritising how it spends
The government has a mountain to climb to address its ‘levelling up’ promises, and a good place to start is affordable housing, says Chris Brown
CommentEmbodied carbon regulations: a case of not if but when
Housebuilders will have to adapt their business model to account for tougher carbon reduction targets
CommentThe Grenfell Tower Inquiry transcripts should be mandatory reading for everyone in housing
We owe it to those who died to learn the lessons from the disaster now
CommentHow lobbyists distort the housing market
Influencing government policy is for the benefit of vested interests, not the home buyer
CommentGet ready for the domino effect
The housing market is on a downward spiral that we cannot predict, but will it be short term?
CommentTime to stop building – unless it’s for the greater good
We need fewer, smaller, greener and more affordable homes that improve people’s quality of life, says Chris Brown
CommentWho decides what social value is?
Deciding what it is, measuring it, and then making it happen feels like a long road
CommentInternational money is flowing into affordable housing — but is it helping increase supply?
An investigative film into the financialisation of housing asks questions of the UK market