About the project
This project analysed the lessons from lockdown for how they can help us to re-imagine, refurbish and re-design ‘liveable’ homes for contemporary needs of families with children. The research included a survey of 1246 families about the ways they used or adapted their homes in lockdown, and research interviews about how homes supported or hindered families in their social and psychological needs.
Researchers recorded and aim to share the adaptations families made to their homes to better support their wellbeing through development of a ‘Home Hack Toolkit’. They identify the settings and scenarios that present the greatest challenges to families. Findings and recommendations target housing policy and professionals in family support roles and represent a crucial resouce to inform development of domestic space standards.
Key policy recommendations include:
- Review space standards and policy definitions (such as ‘decent home’) to address quality and nature of space requirements for a family.
- Prioritise design for adaptability in national and local authority design codes and guidance.
- Include ‘dwelling liveability‘ in the education and continuing development of professionals in family support roles.
Principal Investigator
Professor Rosie Parnell
(University of Newcastle)
