AMION Consulting has been appointed by Homes England, through its Strategic Research, Economics and Evaluation Framework, to examine how the design of homes and neighbourhoods contributes to economic, financial and social value.
Why design quality matters
Across government, local authorities and the housing sector, there is growing recognition that good design does more than shape how a place looks. It influences how people live, how communities interact, and how local economies grow. Well-designed homes and neighbourhoods support healthier lifestyles, foster pride of place and strengthen resilience, while poor design can create long-term social and economic costs.
From the layout of streets and the integration of green space, to the variety of housing types and ease of access to services, every design decision shapes outcomes that last for generations. Yet too often, design quality has been undervalued in planning and investment decisions, particularly where short-term cost savings are prioritised over long-term benefits.
This commission with Homes England seeks to address that imbalance. By building a robust evidence base, we aim to give policymakers, investors and delivery partners the confidence to back design quality as a driver of market value, wellbeing and resilience.
Measuring real-world benefits
AMION’s work focuses on developing approaches to quantify the real-world benefits of good housing design. This includes assessing how design can:
- increase and sustain house prices over time
- reduce costs associated with poor health, social isolation and inactivity
- improve productivity by creating appealing, well-connected places for people to live and work
- enhance resilience and safety through well-designed shared and public spaces
- support net-zero objectives through energy-efficient buildings and walkable neighbourhoods
By converting these outcomes into measurable economic and financial terms, we move beyond aspiration. We demonstrate how design decisions create tangible value and reduce long-term risks, ensuring that quality becomes central to business cases, appraisals and investment strategies.
Policy alignment and design codes
This work is closely aligned with the government’s National Model Design Code, which sets out clear expectations for what good design should look like and how it can be adapted to local context. The Code provides a framework for local authorities, developers and communities to embed quality in planning, ensuring that design is not overlooked as housing delivery accelerates.
It also ties into Homes England’s Strategic Plan 2023–28, which emphasises the need to combine delivery at scale with sustainability, levelling up and long-term value. By evidencing how good design supports levelling up – through healthier, more inclusive communities—and contributes to net-zero ambitions, this commission strengthens the case for putting quality at the heart of housing policy.
Building on a trusted partnership
This latest commission extends AMION’s long-standing relationship with Homes England and reflects our track record of providing research, appraisal and advice at the intersection of place and policy. Our work has shaped national guidance including the Additionality Guide, the Employment Densities Guide and parts of HM Treasury’s Green Book. We have evaluated major regeneration and infrastructure investments, providing insight into how public spending translates into real-world outcomes.
This experience places us in a strong position to explore the complex links between design, placemaking and value. We understand both the methodological challenges of measuring long-term impacts and the practical needs of policymakers, developers and investors for clear, defensible evidence.
Looking ahead
The outputs of this commission will provide Homes England with tools and insights that help embed design quality as a core consideration in planning, funding and delivery. Our goal is to ensure that design is recognised not as a luxury or aesthetic preference, but as a critical factor in building resilient, sustainable and valuable places.
By demonstrating how design supports economic growth, social inclusion and environmental responsibility, we can make the case for housing that delivers benefits well beyond the immediate build. This strengthens the foundations for levelling up, accelerates progress towards net-zero, and helps create communities where people genuinely want to live.
At AMION, we are proud to support this important agenda and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Homes England in building better homes, stronger communities and lasting public value. Contact us to see how we can help with your housing project.