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] Retrofitting the UK's homes could generate £140 billion in benefits for the wider economy by 2040. Eventbrite
• [New] The UK government has published some truly excellent new national building standards (explicitly citing the Iran War shock), mandating new solar panels and heat pumps on around 90% of new homes in England starting in 2028! Your Dose of Climate Hope
• [New] Other measures include mandating solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England from 2028. Positive News
• [New] Most new homes in England will need to include solar panels and heat pumps from 2028. CPA | The Credit Protection Association
• [New] Property prices in Darwin could increase 10.5% for houses and 13.4% for apartments in 2026, with 2027 showing slightly softer growth. Zippy Financial
• [New] KPMG forecasts house prices in Perth to rise 12.8% in 2026, and apartments could grow 11.6%. Zippy Financial
• [New] House prices in Adelaide could rise 8.2% in 2026, with apartments increasing 6.6%. Zippy Financial
• [New] In 2026, house prices are predicted to rise 5.4%, while apartments may increase by 5.1%. Zippy Financial
• [New] Canberra house prices are expected to rise 4.7% in 2026, with apartment prices growing 4.9%. Zippy Financial
• [New] Further growth of 5.7% for houses and 4.0% for apartments is expected in 2027, making now a potentially strategic time to secure a property in Sydney. Zippy Financial
• [New] House prices in Sydney are predicted to rise 5.8% in 2026, with apartments expected to grow by 5.3%. Zippy Financial
• [New] Families and unpaid carers will see the increase in support in 2026. Acutesoftware
• [New] The money toward home care will roll out over the next three years. CBC
• [New] Ontario is investing $1.1 billion more in home health care as it grapples with the reality that it is unlikely to achieve its goal of building 58,000 new long-term care beds by 2028. CBC
• [New] $26 million will go to bring 5,161 rural homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in 66 counties access to high-speed internet infrastructure by the end of the year through the Stop-Gap Solutions program. Coastal Review
• [New] Millions will be awarded to broadband providers across rural North Carolina to connect homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions to high-speed internet access. Coastal Review
• [New] RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) - $26 million in funds through North Carolina's Stop-Gap Solutions program will connect more than 5,000 rural homes and businesses with high-speed internet infrastructure by the end of 2026. Yahoo News
• [New] In the United Kingdom, the Mansion House Reforms aim to direct pension capital into private investments, with the Mansion House Accord targeting £50 billion in defined contribution pension investment in private assets by 2030. Augment Market
• [New] The confirmation that virtually all new homes in England will have solar panels and low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps is very good news - for energy security, for the UK's progress toward a carbon-free future, and for the countless households that will benefit as a result. The Guardian
• [New] The delay in bringing in the FHS, which was expected to come into force in 2027, is likely to mean hundreds of thousands of new homes will be built with gas heating, despite soaring costs caused by the Iran war. The Guardian
• [New] In Lancashire, the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme will receive £15.2 million to safeguard around 5,000 homes when complete. GOV.UK
• [New] A £100 million coastal defence scheme on the south coast between Pevensey Bay and Eastbourne, with more than £8 million invested in 2026 alone, is protecting more than 3,100 homes ahead of the next phase of investment from 2027. GOV.UK
• [New] In partnership with local authorities, homes and businesses will benefit from stronger defences with more than 600 schemes being delivered across England. GOV.UK

Last updated: 04 April 2026