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Social Housing Rent Policy

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is reforming social housing rent policy, including proposals to restore Local Housing Allowance rates, implement Social Rent convergence, and reform subsidy rules for council housing. Multiple bills are progressing including the Co-operative Housing Tenure Bill and Carers Bedroom Entitlement Bill. The policy aims to improve affordability and value for money in the social housing sector.

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2026

4 events
22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Department for Work and Pensions unfreeze the subsidy rates by increasing the rate councils are reimbursed to match the current Local Housing Allowance rate. We also recommend that the Government conduct a detailed review of the subsidy rules to ensure they incentivise councils to source good-quality accommodation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82)

We recommend that the Department for Work and Pensions unfreeze the subsidy rates by increasing the rate councils are reimbursed to match the current Local Housing Allowance rate. We also recommend that the Government conduct a detailed review of the …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the government set out how they plan to prioritise bids for grant funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, including how they will take into account value for money. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102)

We recommend that the government set out how they plan to prioritise bids for grant funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, including how they will take into account value for money. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102) Type: recommendation | Number: …

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9 Feb 2026 | Committee report linked

While we welcome the steps the Government has taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity, a lot of the extra rental income social landlords receive could be absorbed by the new compliance costs placed on them, thereby limiting their ability to invest in new social homes. Even with the Government’s investment in social homes and the changes to the rent settlement, we concerned that the sector will not have sufficient resources to effectively meet the Government’s new social homes target ...

While we welcome the steps the Government has taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity, a lot of the extra rental income social landlords receive could be absorbed by the new compliance costs placed on them, thereby limiting their ability …

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2025

4 events
24 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

The Pensions Policy Institute expects the number and proportion of pensioners renting privately to grow from around 6% now to 17% in 2041. As many as 400,000 households could become dependent on means-tested benefits. Pensioners renting privately are already at risk of poverty, with the operation of the Local Housing Allowance a contributing factor. (Conclusion, Paragraph 184)

The Pensions Policy Institute expects the number and proportion of pensioners renting privately to grow from around 6% now to 17% in 2041. As many as 400,000 households could become dependent on means-tested benefits. Pensioners renting privately are already at …

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24 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should assess the impact of the Local Housing Allowance on pensioners and whether it leaves them with the income needed for a minimum, dignified, socially acceptable standard of living and report back to the Committee by the end of 2025. The long-term housing strategy, which will set out how the Government will deliver its plan for 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, must include plans for housing for older people, addressing security of tenure, at affordable and sustainable...

The Government should assess the impact of the Local Housing Allowance on pensioners and whether it leaves them with the income needed for a minimum, dignified, socially acceptable standard of living and report back to the Committee by the end …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

The LHA sets the maximum amount of housing support that claimants of housing benefit and universal credit can usually receive, to help with housing costs in the private rented sector.26 Since 2011, DWP has introduced welfare reforms designed to reduce overall welfare spending and incentivise benefit recipients to take up employment. These reforms, including periodically capping and freezing LHA rates, have reduced the income that households can derive from benefits in real terms. At the same ...

The LHA sets the maximum amount of housing support that claimants of housing benefit and universal credit can usually receive, to help with housing costs in the private rented sector.26 Since 2011, DWP has introduced welfare reforms designed to reduce …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

It its written submission, Shelter made the case for permanently linking LHA rates to the real cost of renting. It suggested that freezing the LHA rate at a time of record rent increases would trap families in homelessness and 25 Qq 39-40, 42-43 26 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 (footnote 9) 27 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 28 Q 32 29 Qq 33, 36, 73 14 make it impossible for local authorities to prevent or relieve homelessness by finding private rented homes which people on low incomes can afford.30 Reap...

It its written submission, Shelter made the case for permanently linking LHA rates to the real cost of renting. It suggested that freezing the LHA rate at a time of record rent increases would trap families in homelessness and 25 …

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2024

16 events
8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The social housing sector as a whole remains relatively financially resilient. However, it does face the simultaneous financial pressures of higher costs and lower income. Despite the sector’s overall resilience this is a clear and direct challenge to individual social housing providers’ business models and financial stability that must be taken seriously: this cannot be ignored. In addition, damaging restrictions on how local authorities use money from sales under the Right to Buy scheme pla...

The social housing sector as a whole remains relatively financially resilient. However, it does face the simultaneous financial pressures of higher costs and lower income. Despite the sector’s overall resilience this is a clear and direct challenge to individual social …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The Government’s policy on social housing rent increases, and the rent settlement it puts in place to implement this, are the basis of the social housing sector’s finances. It is undoubtedly the case that uncertainty about future rental income makes business planning more difficult. Sudden changes to planned rental income, such as the Government’s decisions to rescind the planned index linked permitted rent increases and cap permitted rent increases below inflation, caused an increased level ...

The Government’s policy on social housing rent increases, and the rent settlement it puts in place to implement this, are the basis of the social housing sector’s finances. It is undoubtedly the case that uncertainty about future rental income makes …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

Accordingly, the next rent settlement should be set for at least five years and should also be linked to inflation. As part of setting the rent settlement, the Government should publish a non-exhaustive list of the types of events that would, in its view, likely lead to the reintroduction of rent caps in the future.

Accordingly, the next rent settlement should be set for at least five years and should also be linked to inflation. As part of setting the rent settlement, the Government should publish a non-exhaustive list of the types of events that …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

We remain very concerned about the impact of rent increases on social housing tenants. These are some of the most financially vulnerable people in our society. We believe housing associations must bear this in mind when they are setting rent levels, and reflect on the levels of their reserves they may be able to use to hold down rents.

We remain very concerned about the impact of rent increases on social housing tenants. These are some of the most financially vulnerable people in our society. We believe housing associations must bear this in mind when they are setting rent …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

Social housing providers should involve their tenants in discussions about rent levels. When rent rises are being considered providers should explain to residents why such rises may be necessary. The Regulator should proactively assess how registered providers use their reserves not only as an indication of financial viability, but also as an indication of providers’ governance, value for money and responsiveness to tenants.

Social housing providers should involve their tenants in discussions about rent levels. When rent rises are being considered providers should explain to residents why such rises may be necessary. The Regulator should proactively assess how registered providers use their reserves …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

A significant percentage of rent in the social housing sector is ultimately borne by the Department for Work and Pensions through benefits. As a result, rent increases could end up transferring costs onto central Government finances.

A significant percentage of rent in the social housing sector is ultimately borne by the Department for Work and Pensions through benefits. As a result, rent increases could end up transferring costs onto central Government finances. Type: conclusion | Number: …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The Government should set out in its response to this report what role the Department for Work and Pensions will have in future discussions about rent settlements. When a rent settlement is agreed, the Government should write to us to inform us what impact it expects the change in rent to have on housing benefit costs. (Paragraph 82) New financing models

The Government should set out in its response to this report what role the Department for Work and Pensions will have in future discussions about rent settlements. When a rent settlement is agreed, the Government should write to us to …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The current low levels of direct Government grant available to housing associations to build new social homes has received justified criticism from housing associations for being inadequate. We reiterate the conclusion in our 2020 report that the Government must invest significantly to fund the building of new social homes.

The current low levels of direct Government grant available to housing associations to build new social homes has received justified criticism from housing associations for being inadequate. We reiterate the conclusion in our 2020 report that the Government must invest …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The Government should make an assessment of the extent to which a significant increase in grant funding for social housing development would allow the sector to build more homes and the overall balance of revenue and capital funding together with other sources of private finance and available subsidies.

The Government should make an assessment of the extent to which a significant increase in grant funding for social housing development would allow the sector to build more homes and the overall balance of revenue and capital funding together with …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

Properly motivated and regulated private investors present a real opportunity to increase the building of social housing. The Government should set out its assessment of how many new social homes for-profit registered providers can be expected to build over the short and long term. In addition, the Government should engage with local authorities to explain the role it wants institutional investors to play in the social housing sector.

Properly motivated and regulated private investors present a real opportunity to increase the building of social housing. The Government should set out its assessment of how many new social homes for-profit registered providers can be expected to build over the …

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8 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The Government has failed to set out the rationale for the decision to focus the inadequate grant on developing affordable rent homes. There should be an early assessment of the adequacy of grant funding allocations within the remaining Affordable Homes Programme and how much social rent is to be supported, together 46 The Finances and Sustainability of the Social Housing Sector with an assessment of the role of appropriate private investment providing affordable rent or other forms of tenure...

The Government has failed to set out the rationale for the decision to focus the inadequate grant on developing affordable rent homes. There should be an early assessment of the adequacy of grant funding allocations within the remaining Affordable Homes …

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28 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

Rent to Buy may represent a better value for money product than shared ownership, but there is insufficient evidence to come to a firm judgement on this at present. Both Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership as affordable home ownership schemes need to be better understood in terms of their affordability and how far they enable 100% homeownership. The Government must as a matter of urgency begin collecting evidence, in liaison with mortgage lenders and providers, in order to assess the viability a...

Rent to Buy may represent a better value for money product than shared ownership, but there is insufficient evidence to come to a firm judgement on this at present. Both Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership as affordable home ownership …

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21 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

The evidence is clear that support for housing costs cannot be viewed in isolation from wider support provided through other benefits. When and if claimants experience a shortfall in rent, this can impact other parts of household budgeting and erode income otherwise intended for daily living costs. The Government should make a commitment to uprate annually Local Housing Allowance so that it retains its value at the 30th percentile of rents in a Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA).

The evidence is clear that support for housing costs cannot be viewed in isolation from wider support provided through other benefits. When and if claimants experience a shortfall in rent, this can impact other parts of household budgeting and erode …

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1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

We welcome the Government’s decision to increase Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents from 1 April 2024. However, this is an urgent matter that required the Government’s immediate action. It is therefore disappointing that the Government did not implement this change with greater speed following the Autumn Statement in November 2023. We are concerned that this delay has failed to alleviate the increasing numbers of families unable to find suitable accommo...

We welcome the Government’s decision to increase Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents from 1 April 2024. However, this is an urgent matter that required the Government’s immediate action. It is therefore disappointing that …

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1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government reconsider its position on re-freezing local housing allowance rates from 2025–26 onwards. Instead, the Government must maintain LHA rates at least at the 30th percentile of local market rents each year to ensure that those children and adults receiving benefits have sufficient access to rental properties and to prevent further escalation of pressure on local authorities’ homelessness services. (Paragraph 138) Priorities for the next Government

We recommend that the Government reconsider its position on re-freezing local housing allowance rates from 2025–26 onwards. Instead, the Government must maintain LHA rates at least at the 30th percentile of local market rents each year to ensure that those …

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2023

3 events
9 Feb 2023 | Committee report linked

The failure of local housing allowance (LHA) rates to keep pace with market rents is quite obviously making the private rented sector even less affordable for many people who are only there because the social housing sector has been cut back and can no longer accommodate them. If the Government believes the PRS is the right place for those on the lowest incomes, it should at least make sure housing benefit does what it was designed to do and covers benefit recipients’ housing costs. For this ...

The failure of local housing allowance (LHA) rates to keep pace with market rents is quite obviously making the private rented sector even less affordable for many people who are only there because the social housing sector has been cut …

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9 Feb 2023 | Committee report linked

Tenants and landlords need access to reliable data on local market rents in comparable properties. The closest available data appears to be that held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which is used to determined local housing allowance rates for broad market rental areas. If sufficiently accurate and granular, this data could form the basis of a much more efficient system for ensuring justified rent increases. Either the data could be made publicly available or the VOA could be given init...

Tenants and landlords need access to reliable data on local market rents in comparable properties. The closest available data appears to be that held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which is used to determined local housing allowance rates for …

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9 Feb 2023 | Committee report linked

The Government should assess whether the data held by the VOA could be used to determine justified rent increases in the PRS. If it concludes that it could, we recommend either that this information be made public so that landlords and tenants can easily see what a justified rent increase would be or, if it cannot be, that the VOA be given initial responsibility for determining whether an increase is justified, with the tribunal serving as an appeals court. If the Government determines that t...

The Government should assess whether the data held by the VOA could be used to determine justified rent increases in the PRS. If it concludes that it could, we recommend either that this information be made public so that landlords …

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2022

14 events
7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that the number of homes being built for social rent is not enough to meet demand. There is huge demand for social rent homes which is the only real, affordable option for many people. Despite this, the Department has a target for just 33,550 homes for social rent under the 2021 programme. The Department has shown that homes built for social rent provide higher value for money than those built for ownership, but decisions around tenure are policy decisions made by ministers. ...

We are concerned that the number of homes being built for social rent is not enough to meet demand. There is huge demand for social rent homes which is the only real, affordable option for many people. Despite this, the …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (the Department) and Homes England about the Affordable Homes Programme.1

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (the Department) and Homes England about the Affordable Homes Programme.1 Type: conclusion | Number: 1 | …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

We asked the Department about the number of homes designated for social rent, given social rent is the most affordable for tenants; and the type of tenure most needed. We stressed the human impact that a lack of homes for social rent has. A lack of homes forces people to live in hostels or private accommodation in which they move around every few years; leading to children having to move school or travel long distances. The Department commented that it was acutely aware of housing pressures a...

We asked the Department about the number of homes designated for social rent, given social rent is the most affordable for tenants; and the type of tenure most needed. We stressed the human impact that a lack of homes for …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

Homes England told us that, under current plans, it forecasts achieving 14,300 homes for social rent under the 2016 programme, exceeding its target of 12,500 homes. For the 2021 programme, the Department told us it set a sub-target of 33,500 homes for social rent, which it forecasts meeting.32 Shelter argued that the Department should refocus the Programme to deliver more homes for social rent.33 The Department said that ultimately decisions around tenure are for Ministers to make, and it is ...

Homes England told us that, under current plans, it forecasts achieving 14,300 homes for social rent under the 2016 programme, exceeding its target of 12,500 homes. For the 2021 programme, the Department told us it set a sub-target of 33,500 …

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7 Dec 2022 | Written evidence linked

We asked the Department about the potential impact of the proposed cap on social rents that it is currently consulting on. The rent cap could prevent housing providers from increasing rents by CPI + 1%, as envisaged.35 Business LDN warn that the Government’s proposed rent cap will leave housing providers with a significant shortfall in their finances resulting in less building of new homes.36 The Department told us that it may introduce a 25 Q 59 26 C&AG’s Report, para 2.2, Figure 5 27 Q 79 2...

We asked the Department about the potential impact of the proposed cap on social rents that it is currently consulting on. The rent cap could prevent housing providers from increasing rents by CPI + 1%, as envisaged.35 Business LDN warn …

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27 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government was unable to provide a satisfactory justification, let alone an explanation, as to why DWP reimburses councils for 100% of housing benefit if the provider is registered but only 60% if it is not registered, leaving the council to pick up the rest of the tab. The same 100% subsidy should be paid by DWP whether or not the provider is registered. Later in this report we recommend that all providers be registered. While this will result in increased costs for DWP, this is likely t...

The Government was unable to provide a satisfactory justification, let alone an explanation, as to why DWP reimburses councils for 100% of housing benefit if the provider is registered but only 60% if it is not registered, leaving the council …

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27 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The reset of Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of rents was a welcome intervention at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increase has since been eroded by rising housing costs. Some parts of the country are experiencing acute shortages of affordable housing, and we have heard this is leaving some unable to move on from temporary accommodation. DWP should work with other Departments to make housing more affordable for those on low incomes, as it did in 2020. This mu...

The reset of Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of rents was a welcome intervention at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increase has since been eroded by rising housing costs. Some parts of the country …

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20 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

Whatever the extent and causes of housing disrepair, we call on everyone in and connected to the social housing sector to work together and prioritise above all else the quality of housing being provided to existing tenants.

Whatever the extent and causes of housing disrepair, we call on everyone in and connected to the social housing sector to work together and prioritise above all else the quality of housing being provided to existing tenants. Type: recommendation | …

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20 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The level of disrepair in some parts of the social housing sector can undoubtedly be attributed partly to the age and design of the housing stock, some of which was never built to last and is now approaching obsolescence. For this, some blame must attach to successive Governments for not investing enough in new social housing or providing funding specifically for regeneration. We therefore welcome the Government’s commitment to building more homes for social rent.

The level of disrepair in some parts of the social housing sector can undoubtedly be attributed partly to the age and design of the housing stock, some of which was never built to last and is now approaching obsolescence. For …

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20 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

We are pleased the Government is setting up the Social Housing Quality Resident Panel, but we believe there is a strong argument for committing now to making it a permanent national voice for tenants, or at least to establishing such a body in The Regulation of Social Housing 71 one form or another. We also have significant concerns about how residents will be selected. If the panel is to speak for tenants, it must be genuinely representative.

We are pleased the Government is setting up the Social Housing Quality Resident Panel, but we believe there is a strong argument for committing now to making it a permanent national voice for tenants, or at least to establishing such …

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20 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government establish the Social Housing Quality Resident Panel on a permanent basis as the national tenant voice body that tenants representatives have been calling for. The Government should send the strongest possible signal to tenants that it is determined to involve them in the national conversation about how to drive up standards in social housing. To ensure the panel can truly speak for tenants, the Government must also ensure that the selection process is transpar...

We recommend that the Government establish the Social Housing Quality Resident Panel on a permanent basis as the national tenant voice body that tenants representatives have been calling for. The Government should send the strongest possible signal to tenants that …

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20 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government must commit to ensuring social housing tenants get the same levels of compensation it has said tenants in the PRS will be entitled to under its proposals for a new ombudsman. We recommend it does this by amending the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill to include provisions setting out that the ombudsman may award compensation of up to £25,000. If not, it should publish its justification for treating social housing tenants and PRS tenants differently. Whether it commits to doing t...

The Government must commit to ensuring social housing tenants get the same levels of compensation it has said tenants in the PRS will be entitled to under its proposals for a new ombudsman. We recommend it does this by amending …

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11 Mar 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government must stop pitting the building safety crisis against the housing crisis. Without access to funds for remediation where social tenants live, residents of social housing are paying the price through the diversion of funds from maintaining their homes and other vital services provided by housing associations and councils. Those on waiting lists and those who are homeless are paying the price through the decimation of planned new builds for affordable homes, with one in 10 planned ...

The Government must stop pitting the building safety crisis against the housing crisis. Without access to funds for remediation where social tenants live, residents of social housing are paying the price through the diversion of funds from maintaining their homes …

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2021

5 events
10 Jun 2021 | Committee report linked

We support ensuring that the additional housing being built includes affordable and social housing. There should also be support and encouragement for local authorities to deliver specialist housing, particularly for elderly and people with disabilities. The Government should create a C2R class for retirement communities to ensure clarity in the planning process. There should be a statutory obligation that Local Plans identify sites for specialist housing. We repeat our recommendation in our ...

We support ensuring that the additional housing being built includes affordable and social housing. There should also be support and encouragement for local authorities to deliver specialist housing, particularly for elderly and people with disabilities. The Government should create a …

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31 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the 30th percentile in cash terms only, and instead keep rates indexed at the 30th percentile long-term. This will help households across England to afford their rent. (Paragraph 94) Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19 39

The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the 30th percentile in cash terms only, and instead keep rates indexed at the 30th percentile long-term. This will help households across England to afford their …

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31 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

We also call on the Government to temporarily boost funding to discretionary housing payments to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of households who are receiving no extra income from welfare increases due to the benefit cap. This will further protect households from falling into rent arrears because of the pandemic.

We also call on the Government to temporarily boost funding to discretionary housing payments to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of households who are receiving no extra income from welfare increases due to the benefit cap. This …

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2020

11 events
16 Sep 2020 | Committee report linked

We asked the Department if it knew of any impact to social sector rents as a result of cladding replacement. It told us that it does not collect the information currently, but it has received information from social landlords, and is considering what further programme monitoring it can do.53 Insurance and lending

We asked the Department if it knew of any impact to social sector rents as a result of cladding replacement. It told us that it does not collect the information currently, but it has received information from social landlords, and …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The housing market in England has changed substantially since the last time there was political consensus on the need to build large numbers of social housing. The decades in which social housing was delivered at scale featured different mechanisms than are used today—some of which might be revived and reused in modern circumstances—but ultimately the most important factor was shared political will. (Paragraph 16) Definitions of affordability

The housing market in England has changed substantially since the last time there was political consensus on the need to build large numbers of social housing. The decades in which social housing was delivered at scale featured different mechanisms than …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We believe rents are only affordable when they do not exceed one third of household income. There are numerous ways to define this income and other related factors and the Government should identify its preferred method, in consultation with the Local Government Association, the National Housing Federation, Shelter, and other key players in the sector. It is crucial that the Government links local incomes to a definition of affordability, rather than using “affordable” as a synonym for below ...

We believe rents are only affordable when they do not exceed one third of household income. There are numerous ways to define this income and other related factors and the Government should identify its preferred method, in consultation with the …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We agree with the Public Accounts Committee that the Government missed a crucial opportunity to alleviate the housing crisis through its disposal of public land. While we understand the constraints around managing public money, it is nonetheless short-sighted to sell public land to the highest bidder when social housing providers struggle with the cost of land. The programme has not addressed the housing shortage nor the social housing shortage. (Paragraph 44) Building more social housing 53

We agree with the Public Accounts Committee that the Government missed a crucial opportunity to alleviate the housing crisis through its disposal of public land. While we understand the constraints around managing public money, it is nonetheless short-sighted to sell …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

It is disappointing that the Government does not have a published plan on social housing, nor has its own assessment of social housing need. We regard an estimate of need to be essential to calculating how much investment the Government may need to make to meet social housing need and deliver such a “step change”.

It is disappointing that the Government does not have a published plan on social housing, nor has its own assessment of social housing need. We regard an estimate of need to be essential to calculating how much investment the Government …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The cross-subsidy model has reached its limit. Without grant funding from central Government, providers will be vulnerable to the economic impact of COVID-19. Housing associations have commendably made up for reduced Government grant investment in the last decade by developing homes for sale and investing these proceeds, but the subsidy gap remains high for social rent. The Government believes housing associations can continue to financially innovate to build more homes, despite registered pr...

The cross-subsidy model has reached its limit. Without grant funding from central Government, providers will be vulnerable to the economic impact of COVID-19. Housing associations have commendably made up for reduced Government grant investment in the last decade by developing …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

It will take time to meet social housing need. In the short-term, we support the Government’s intention to improve the experience of tenants in the private rented sector, including on security of tenure, quality of housing, and affordability. We encourage the Government to bring forward legislative proposals as soon as possible. While councils need to be better at enforcing standards, the Government needs to provide more resources for councils to ensure they have the capacity to enforce the l...

It will take time to meet social housing need. In the short-term, we support the Government’s intention to improve the experience of tenants in the private rented sector, including on security of tenure, quality of housing, and affordability. We encourage …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

It is time for the Government to invest so the country can build 90,000 social rent homes a year. We appreciate that even with the funding we set out below, any programme will take time to scale up, but we expect the Government should be able to increase delivery to 90,000 within five years.

It is time for the Government to invest so the country can build 90,000 social rent homes a year. We appreciate that even with the funding we set out below, any programme will take time to scale up, but we …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We estimate that land value reform could reduce the cost of the programme by up to 40 per cent. By building more social housing on Government-owned public land, the overall cost of the programme could be further reduced. Some of the money could also be redistributed from existing budgets within the Department, and the rest could be borrowed while interest rates are historically low. While the overall savings gained from the long-term reduction in the housing benefit bill are difficult to quan...

We estimate that land value reform could reduce the cost of the programme by up to 40 per cent. By building more social housing on Government-owned public land, the overall cost of the programme could be further reduced. Some of …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We caution the Government not to make Shared Ownership Right to Buy a condition of affordable housing grant funding, until our suggested reforms on receipts are implemented. When Right to Buy is implemented for all housing associations, like with the pilots, the Treasury should reimburse housing associations for the cost of discounts. This aligns with the recommendation we made in our report on housing associations and the Right to Buy in 2016. Otherwise, housing associations will face the sa...

We caution the Government not to make Shared Ownership Right to Buy a condition of affordable housing grant funding, until our suggested reforms on receipts are implemented. When Right to Buy is implemented for all housing associations, like with the …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The Government must keep a careful watch on the rate of replacements. If, despite these reforms, replacements are still below a one-for-one rate, the Government must intervene further. The Government should fully disaggregate its quarterly Right to Buy data by tenure for sales and replacements, and publish a full review of the Right to Buy scheme by the end of this Parliament, assessing a full range of options for its future. (Paragraph 135) Building more social housing 57

The Government must keep a careful watch on the rate of replacements. If, despite these reforms, replacements are still below a one-for-one rate, the Government must intervene further. The Government should fully disaggregate its quarterly Right to Buy data by …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK