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UK Labour eyes California's backyard homes to tackle housing crisis

Created at 1 Sep · 2:41 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Britain's Labour government is adopting policies similar to California's accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to increase housing supply. The new rules encourage building above existing structures and in gardens, aiming to boost construction rates amid a severe housing shortage, though concerns about local backlash persist.

Key Numbers

1.5 millionnew homes target
25%of new housing in California are ADUs
32,000backyard home permits in California last year
9,000backyard homes permitted in California in 2018

Who's Involved

Andy Burnham
Prime Minister of the UK administration
Simon Creer
from the Royal Town Planning Institute
Muhammad Alameldin
Director of growth for California YIMBY
Gareth Bacon
Shadow Housing Minister
UK Labour eyes California's backyard homes to tackle housing crisis

↳ Why This Matters

The UK is grappling with a severe housing shortage, and these policy changes represent a significant attempt to address it by adopting a model proven in California, though they risk alienating local communities and face opposition from political rivals.

Key facts

  • UK government is implementing new planning rules to encourage building homes above existing structures and in gardens.
  • The policy is modeled after California's 'accessory dwelling units' (ADUs), which represent 25% of new housing in the state.
  • The aim is to increase housing delivery to meet a target of 1.5 million new homes.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential public backlash over changes to neighborhood character and loss of green spaces.
  • California has seen a significant increase in ADU construction following legislative changes to remove local restrictions.

The UK government is introducing new planning rules designed to increase housing construction by encouraging development on and above existing properties, including in gardens. This policy is inspired by California's successful 'accessory dwelling units' (ADUs) model, which has seen a surge in backyard home construction over the past decade.

The new measures aim to facilitate urban and suburban intensification, making it easier for homeowners to build additional units on their properties. California's approach involved state lawmakers passing legislation to remove local restrictions that had previously hindered ADU development, leading to a significant increase in permits issued.

Experts believe these changes could help the UK government reach its target of building 1.5 million new homes. However, there are concerns about potential public opposition, similar to past 'garden grabbing' controversies, with residents worried about the impact on neighborhood character and green spaces. The government maintains that local oversight will be retained and that development will be balanced with community concerns.

Opponents, such as the Conservative party, have voiced criticism, arguing that the policy will result in more blocks of flats being built in gardens rather than family homes. Past attempts at densification in the UK have faced public backlash and subsequent revocation, highlighting the delicate balance between increasing housing supply and managing local sentiment.

Frequently asked questions

The government is updating planning rules to encourage building homes above existing structures and in gardens, inspired by California's ADU model.

ADUs, also known as granny flats or backyard homes, are secondary housing units on a single-family property, which now constitute a quarter of new housing in California.

There are concerns about public backlash from residents worried about neighborhood character, loss of green spaces, and increased density, similar to past 'garden grabbing' controversies.

California has seen a significant increase in ADU permits since 2016, with over 32,000 approved last year, contributing substantially to new housing supply.

What Happens Next

01Monitor public reaction to the new planning rules.
02Observe the impact on housing construction rates in England.
03Assess whether the policy helps the government meet its housing targets.

How It Developed

UK government updates planning rules to encourage adding homes above existing buildings and in gardens.
Policy draws inspiration from California's 'accessory dwelling units' (ADUs) which now form a quarter of new housing there.
Experts suggest the changes could help meet the target of building 1.5 million new homes.
Concerns are raised about potential political backlash from residents worried about neighborhood character and green spaces.
Previous 'garden grabbing' policies in the 2000s led to public outrage and were later reversed.
New guidance aims for urban and suburban intensification, unlocking private land for small-scale construction.
California's success with ADUs is attributed to state laws stripping local restrictions, making building simpler and less expensive.
In California, backyard home permits increased from under 9,000 in 2018 to over 32,000 last year.

Sources

T1
Labour’s new housing model comes from California’s backyardsPOLITICO Europe

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