Housing Crisis Spurs National and Local Responses

A growing housing crisis has prompted emergency national measures in the UK, expanded tenant protections, and a series of local initiatives in the US and UK to boost supply and strengthen renters’ rights. In London, construction is at its lowest in two decades, prompting temporary Community Infrastructure Levy relief, reduced affordable-housing requirements for fast-track planning, and expanded mayoral powers to unlock stalled projects. England is overhauling tenant protections by abolishing Section 21 'no-fault' evictions under the Renters’ Rights Act, while Scotland is seeing rising homelessness and long waits for permanent homes. Across the US, mayors say housing is a top local priority; New York City reported a record 33,974 homes completed in 2023 but production is highly concentrated, and Sacramento hosted a regional affordable housing summit linking homelessness and the need for more safe, affordable housing. Local actions include a City Council committee advancing a Long Island City rezoning to enable nearly 15,000 homes and Lambeth Council approving 60 additional units and raising on-site affordable housing to 35%. Officials warn that uneven building, high costs, limited municipal authority and community pushback could constrain how quickly new and affordable homes are delivered.