Three years of post-occupancy research by QOLF Consulting highlights the importance of lived experience in shaping healthier, better quality housing
A new report published today by QOLF Consulting, part of the Quality of Life Foundation, calls on the built environment sector to place resident experience at the heart of housing design, planning and delivery. Based on three years of post-occupancy evaluations across England, the findings seek to provide a framework for aligning quality of life with housing quantity.
The study, Creating Better Places by Learning from People’s Lived Experience, draws on feedback from residents living in new housing developments in urban, suburban and rural-edge locations. It combines qualitative and quantitative data to assess how new homes and neighbourhoods perform against the foundation’s six-part Quality of Life Framework.
Key findings from the evaluations point to design features associated with higher satisfaction levels, including dual-aspect layouts, flexible internal space, private outdoor areas, and strong sound insulation. According to the report, 93% of residents in one development expressed satisfaction with their homes where these characteristics were present.
The report also cites strong positive feedback on access to nature, with 94% of residents in one build-to-rent scheme reporting mental health benefits from proximity to green or blue space. However, it identifies persistent challenges, including car dominance in suburban streets, inconsistent green space maintenance, and limited leisure provision for teenagers and young adults.
Emma Cooke, head of external affairs at the Quality of Life Foundation, said: “Our research demonstrates that true quality is measured by how a home or neighbourhood makes you feel, and by how it functions for the people who live in it.
“As the UK pushes to deliver 1.5 million new homes, our report argues that embedding resident-centric design isn’t just a good idea – it’s a practical necessity. By consistently listening to those who live in these new places, we can ensure we build homes and communities that truly enhance wellbeing and meet future needs.”
The report advocates for more structured feedback mechanisms in the housing sector, encouraging architects, developers and local authorities to use post-occupancy insights to inform both early-stage design decisions and long-term management strategies. It identifies specific areas for improvement, including addressing overheating risks, enhancing public transport integration in early phases, and involving marginalised groups in shaping local priorities.
QOLF Consulting is a social impact consultancy focused on the built environment. The organisation is wholly owned by the Quality of Life Foundation, a UK charity founded by Sadie Morgan to promote health and wellbeing through better place design.
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