Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] With 44% of UK workers now in hybrid arrangements, court precedents will establish employer responsibility for home office ergonomics by 2027. Astutis
• [New] Housing needs far exceed supply France requires 518,000 homes annually (198,000 social), Germany 400,000 (140,000 social), the Netherlands nearly 1 million by 2031, and Sweden over 500,000 by 2033 - yet production consistently falls short, often by half. Housing Europe
• [New] Last week, the White House announced that it was going to abruptly terminate $500 million in clean energy grant funding to factories and other businesses across New York. Governor Kathy Hochul
• [New] The offshore wind sector is projected to create 29,000 jobs, generate a £4.5 billion economic impact, and power more than four million homes across Wales by 2030. GOV.WALES
• [New] Octopus Energy and OVO will be distributing tens of thousands of electric blankets to eligible households facing financial hardship in 2025. The Independent
• [New] France requires 518,000 homes annually (198,000 social housing) until 2040 to meet demand. The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment O
• [New] Retailers like Walmart de Mexico y Centroamerica, consumer goods producers, and service industries could see reduced sales volumes and tighter profit margins as household incomes are squeezed and discretionary spending declines. FinancialContent
• [New] The Susquehanna Family Health Clinic, a rural safety-net provider in rural Virginia is warning that forthcoming Medicaid funding reductions and enrolment changes may jeopardize its ability to serve patients regardless of insurance status. RuralOrganizing
• [New] In the remote village of Kipnuk, Alaska, residents are reeling after severe flooding destroyed homes and infrastructure that might have been protected by a federal grant canceled months earlier. RuralOrganizing
• [New] Rural and coastal residents across Louisiana are struggling as rising insurance premiums, climate change, and fossil fuel expansion converge to threaten their homes and livelihoods. RuralOrganizing
• [New] Families who lose everything in future wildfires in California will now be able to collect the bulk of their insurance payout without cataloging every item. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] Green energy sources are becoming increasingly popular for homes and businesses as the UK moves closer to its 2050 net zero target. Insurance Age
• [New] A new law signed could finally open the door for more affordable homes along California's prized coastline - allowing certain projects to skip coastal permits while still protecting the environment. Churchill Mortgage
• [New] TikTok's viral Great Lock-In trend is inspiring young buyers to save aggressively through the end of 2025 and get financially ready to buy a home in 2026. Churchill Mortgage
• [New] Buyers are increasingly wary of investing in homes that could be underwater in a decade. Home Works Property Management
• [New] Around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England are located in areas at risk from rivers, the sea, or surface water. Unda
• [New] In some neighbourhoods in south-east London, and the towns of Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire, 90% of homes are projected to be at risk. The Guardian
• [New] More product categories will be banned in 2028, including cleaning products, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, textiles, and some home goods. American Chemical Society
• Starting in 2026 and mobilising €86 billion, the Social Climate Fund has been created to ensure the transition to a greener economy is fair and leaves no one behind and to support vulnerable households and small businesses in their efforts to switch to cleaner energy and transport. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
• Planning approval has been granted for an East Yorkshire solar farm that could power more than 18,000 homes and support the creation of 245 jobs. Electricity Info

Last updated: 25 October 2025