Housing, health and happiness: Greater Manchester’s bold approach to the housing crisis

With the UK and many other countries facing a housing crisis in affordability, supply – and quality – the keynote session on day two of Healthy City Design 2025 sought to unpack how housing can be a positive health intervention, a climate solution and a catalyst for social justice.

Chairing the session, Sarah Castle, co-founding director of architectural practice IF_DO, described Greater Manchester’s approach as radical – one that treats secure, stable housing “as a foundation for wellbeing, health intervention and a springboard for opportunity,” and one that leads to “better health outcomes, stronger communities, and more resilient futures”.

Presenting the strategy ahead of a panel discussion, Helen Simpson, from GMCA Health and Social Care Partnership, described the approach as a “social model for health rather than a predominantly medical model”, and the driver for implementing it is “the recognition that good health isn’t created in our hospitals and healthcare settings; it’s in our communities, in our behaviours and lifestyles. It’s about social connections, meaningful work, and relationships.”

She continued: “It’s about supporting good work and employment opportunities and ensuring within that that we have a sustainable workforce. And it’s also about a health system that plays a part in tackling poverty and long-standing inequalities.”

Abstract

Greater Manchester believes a stable home is the foundation for a thriving life. This session will explore how GMCA is innovating to lead the way with groundbreaking pilots and bold solutions, proving that good health, education and jobs all start with secure housing.