Setting the scene: the Foresight Group's first update
The Foresight Group had its first meeting on 9 December 2024.
Its diverse members got to know each other, and the team from Clarion took the opportunity to set out their hopes for the group.
During the morning session, group members were presented with Clarion’s own data, covering what we know about our residents, and the demographic changes already underway that we have observed through our annual Clarion Index survey and the Resident of the Future report.
We also outlined what Clarion is doing already to address these changes through Clarion Futures, regeneration and retrofit of our existing stock, and building homes ready for the future.
Discussion of long-term housing trends, such as unaffordability, residualisation, or constrained access to good quality social homes then led the group to a conversation about broader megatrends. Previous research has highlighted six deep and profound trends, global in scope and long term in effect, which are touching everyone on the planet and shaping our world for years to come.
Putting these in context through a housing lens the group discussed how the sector is likely to be affected by these trends, and began to think about the kind of adaptations and innovations that Clarion and the wider sector may need to pursue.
Finally, taking inspiration from William Beveridge’s foundational 1942 report, we put forward five new ‘giants’ of the future for the group to challenge and develop.
Through this activity, the group began to define and shape the final output that it will produce, with a desire among members to focus on the opportunities for Clarion and the housing sector, rather than seeing the challenges ahead through a negative lens.