Learning from the DevoLab #4: How mayors can increase the supply of affordable homes

England has a chronic housing shortage and a widely recognised undersupply of affordable homes. Addressing this challenge is a central priority for government, with mayors seen as key to delivering progress.

Mayors have a range of tools to support housing delivery, including through land acquisition and regeneration powers, development corporations, infrastructure investment, and control of brownfield funds. They also work with Homes England on affordable housing priorities and play a strategic role by aligning housing with wider economic, transport, skills, and environmental plans. 

So how can mayors best use their powers to increase the supply of affordable homes? What innovations have been tried at the regional level to accelerate delivery? What have been the results of these interventions? And what lessons can MSAs learn from each other?

To answer these questions, this policy briefing presents three case studies – from Greater Manchester, the West of England and the West Midlands – of how devolved powers have been used to increase the supply of affordable homes and draws out 12 key lessons.

This paper draws on presentations delivered at a February 2026 DevoLab event in Manchester, hosted by the Institute for Government, in partnership with L&G.

This publication forms part of the IfG DevoLab, an Institute for Government platform dedicated to exploring and learning from the policy and governance innovations that devolution enables.

Watch IfG DevoLab #4 on affordable homes