We want to challenge the belief that the housing crisis in the capital is down to a shortage of land and property.
What we're doing
In 2021, we approved four grants to the Centre for Public Data, Kingston University, Positive Money and Transparency International UK.
Many people believe the housing crisis in London is due to a lack of land or suitable homes, but that simply isn’t the case. These grants aim to uncover the hidden reasons housing and wealth is divided so unfairly in London, including issues around who owns property, foreign investment, QE (Quantitative Easing) and bank lending policy and the capture of planning policies.
Campaigners, stakeholders and decision makers will use the evidence from these projects to fight for housing justice for Londoners on low incomes.
Project Outlines
Centre for Public Data
The project will develop a mapping tool tracking corporate property ownership across London. The data will be used to produce research reports for campaigners to demand change.
Kingston University
This research project includes interviews with HM Land Registry data on foreign ownership and a unique empty homes dataset to help us better understand how property investment coming from offshore tax havens impacts socio-economic inequality in London.
Tax Haven Money in London Real Estate
Positive Money
This research project looks at the impact of Quantitative Easing (QE) and bank lending on price inflation and housing inequality in London. It will look at how different groups of people are affected to different levels, examine affordability policies and come up with solutions.
Banking on Property - what is driving the housing affordability crisis and how to solve it
Transparency International UK
This project funds research, media and advocacy work to look at the impact of the capture of housing policy on London and its citizens; and how better safeguards and capture in the planning process in London can be put in place.
Transparency International's new report Parliamentary Estates