Our formative years are spent in or near a place we call home — long hours of sleeping and growing, taking our first steps, and playing under the watchful eyes of parents. However, homes in many cities are anything but nurturing places for caregivers and children.
There is a global housing crisis, with estimates that 80% of cities lack affordable housing options for a large majority of their populations (European Parliament, 2020). This insights brief shows how housing can support babies, toddlers and their caregivers, citing case studies and offering an overview of the key stakeholders that shape good housing.
Developed with a range of stakeholders in mind, from local government to housing associations and investors, it highlights why and how different people and groups can embrace family-oriented approaches to housing policy, design and development. It also warns that neglecting the importance of the early years in housing policy can perpetuate intergenerational cycles of inequality.
Ultimately, investing in ‘good housing’ that prioritises children and parents can yield transformative benefits for people and cities.
Photo: Isolde Woudstra / Van Leer Foundation
Toolkit
Family Voices Toolkit
Collection
Nurturing Neighbourhoods Across India
Report
Comparative Global Study of Urban Spaces to Support Parents
