A practical playbook helping housing investors, developers and operators put the needs of babies, toddlers and caregivers at the heart of housing investment, development and management.
Investment in early childhood can be a powerful catalyst for positive life outcomes. Research by Nobel laureate James Heckman suggests that every US$1 invested in early childhood conditions generates US$6–17 in long-term social and economic returns.
Babies, toddlers and caregivers spend much of their time in and around their homes, yet their needs are too often overlooked in how housing and neighbourhoods are funded, designed, delivered and managed. Many families face unaffordable, unstable or poor-quality housing, with consequences for child development, caregiver wellbeing and community resilience.
Housing for a Good Start brings an early-years and family perspective to housing and placemaking. It is not a new housing type or asset class, but a shift in perspective and practise.
Shape better housing for young families
The playbook is primarily for housing investors, developers and operators.
It can help them shape new developments, appraise investments and improve the management of existing housing, while considering and prioritising the needs of babies, toddlers and caregivers alongside those of the wider community. The approach can be applied across different housing types and at different stages of a project.
What the playbook provides
- The social, economic and policy case for bringing an early-years and family lens to housing.
- The growing business and impact case for investors, developers and operators, including links between resident stability, social value and asset performance.
- A practical framework comprising eight principles and 18 action areas to bring those principles to life.
- Indicators for evaluating social impact alongside financial and operational performance.
- Case studies and practical resources showing how the approach can be applied.
Organisations can start with achievable improvements that reflect their context, residents’ needs and available resources, then build towards more comprehensive application of an early-years and family lens over time.
Built on research and practitioner insight
The Housing for a Good Start Playbook was developed jointly by the Impact Investing Institute and the Van Leer Foundation through the Institute’s Investing for Future Generations Lab.
The Lab is building the evidence, partnerships, tools and market infrastructure needed to make investing for positive outcomes for children a recognised and credible part of mainstream investment practice.
The Playbook draws on extensive research, practitioner insight and case studies, with contributions from more than 20 organisations across the UK, US and Europe, including Arup, Multifamily Impact Council, Neighborhood Lab, The Good Economy, Urban Land Institute and ZCD Architects.
Get involved
Interested in joining the Housing for a Good Start community of practice?
We’re bringing together a select group of leaders from across the UK, US and Europe. Complete this form to tell us what you hope to gain from taking part and express your interest in joining.