The University of Exeter and Exeter City Council joined forces with Devon and Torbay councils and other partners to set up the Commission in July 2023, as part of the commitment under the Civic University Agreement. The original objectives of the Commission were :-

• To develop a clear picture of the problems across local housing markets and tenure types across geographic Devon through broad engagement with communities, experts, and partner agencies.
• To gain an understanding of the future need for housing supply, tenure types and use, in order to support the wider outcomes of prosperity, economic growth, and social mobility
• To provide recommendations for the changes in social and housing policy that will be required to respond to the crisis over the next decade
• To provide some practical recommendations that help to deliver improvements in the use, supply and tenure types, including improving the quality of the private rented stock in line with carbon plan objectives

Specific themes explored included homelessness; housing affordability; how to create attractive communities; integrating housing with health and care; the impact of short-term lettings; holiday accommodation; student housing; and ‘second homes’.

The Commission was established in response to a number of Devon councils declaring a ‘housing emergency’.  Disproportionately high house prices compared to local wage levels, a lack of affordable rented housing, partly linked to tourism, lower house-building rates, an ageing population, and rurality, are all factors that have contributed to the current situation in Devon. The impact of the housing crisis is profound, leading to a dramatic rise over recent years in the numbers of families becoming homeless and requiring council-funded temporary accommodation. There is also clear evidence of difficulties in recruitment for the public sector as well as for private businesses, with workers unable to take up job offers as they cannot find somewhere to live, and for young families who are being ‘priced-out’ of the communities they grew up in.

Extensive research and broad consultation and engagement, led by the University of Exeter, supported the Commission in being able to develop a far-reaching set of recommendations. These include practical steps that can be implemented at a local level, as well as influencing UK government policy on planning, housing, and infrastructure.

The full report can be accessed here.