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] In the Balanced Pathway, average household energy bills in 2040 would be 15 times less sensitive to a spike in gas prices like the one we had in 2022 than the no further action baseline. Electricity Info
• [New] There's a political battle unfolding in Scotland over a new charge critics are calling a nuclear tax - a levy that could leave Scottish households paying for nuclear construction projects hundreds of miles away. no2nuclearpower
• [New] As a first step, in 2026 Octopus will supply Voltus with aggregations of residential consumer devices - including smart thermostats, EVs, and home batteries, in PJM, MISO, New York, and California. POWER Magazine
• [New] Social purpose using housing as a core vehicle can be seen in 2023-34 via Places for People, managing 245,000 homes and delivering 1,750 new homes they have this year generated £334m in social value. Housing Studies Association
• [New] Low-carbon concrete is a viable option to meet the world's demand for urban housing by 2050, whilst also delivering CO2 emissions reductions of up to 14.3 Gt CO2 (eq.) relative to a Concrete-BAU reference scenario over the period 2025-2050. Nature
• [New] To meet urban housing needs, low-carbon concrete is not perfect but is the lowest-carbon option that can be scaled - up to meet global demand by 2050. Nature
• [New] The majority of future housing demand is projected to be in urban areas and largely within economically developing countries in Asia and Africa. Nature
• [New] The Eurocentric history and current production of CLT may pose distinct challenges to rapid scale-up in the Global South, where the majority of housing demand is forecast. Nature
• [New] Europe now accounts for over 40% of global incidents, with France leading at 19 reported attacks, involving home invasions, kidnappings, and targeted personal threats. CoinDesk
• [New] In Sweden, the EX60 will be launched with three years of free home charging for private customers, an offer that will be gradually introduced in other markets. News Powered by Cision
• [New] At the household level, pressure on consumer wallets should continue to ease, as inflation is expected to fall below the long-run average and the CBN inflation target. The Nation Newspaper
• [New] The federal government remains on track to meet its goal of providing high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by the end of 2026, and 100% by 2030. Yahoo Finance Canada
• [New] By end-user, the home-care settings segment is growing at a strong CAGR between 2026 and 2035. Precedence Research
• [New] Home health and personal care aides are expected to grow by about 20.7% in the next decade, adding over 800,000 jobs. / USA The Seniors Center
• [New] Spending on home improvement and maintenance, expected to total $522 billion in 2026, appears to be losing strength amid cost pressures. The Daily Upside
• [New] From a global perspective, bio-based materials could make a minor contribution, at most, to urban housing demand. Nature
• [New] In the United States alone, 2.8 million single-family homes are at risk if the sea level rises between 0 and 10 feet. Climate Scorecard
• [New] If current trends continue, arrears could reach $28 billion in 2026 as higher electricity and natural gas costs collide with broader inflation in essentials like rent, food and medical care, stretching household budgets further. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] While there has yet to be any significant reported impact on home insurance rates, tariffs on building materials (such as lumber from Canada) will raise costs and have the potential to drive additional rate increases. Mazeppa-Zumbro Falls Messenger
• BUILD NOW sets out a bold new model of affordable homeownership that could reshape how communities across Canada approach housing. Mirage News
• Across West Virginia, regional banks (via the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh) awarded $23.9 million in grants to support 13 affordable housing projects - including tiny homes and new construction-expected to deliver 250+ affordable homes statewide. Mid-Atlantic Council for Affordable Housing
• National house prices will rise 7.7% in 2026, with growth expected across every capital city despite borrowing constraints and affordability pressures. realestate.com.au

Last updated: 07 February 2026