Social housing crisis could worsen unless action is taken by the Government

This crisis, which has gone on for such a long time that people would be forgiven for being inured to it, has engulfed the housing market on multiple fronts.

And the latest report from a cross-party group of MPs on social housing is a cause for concern.

People most in need are at risk of falling even further behind as social housing providers find themselves having to cut the amount they plan to spend on building new social homes.

The sector is facing huge bills for decarbonisation, fire safety and regenerating old homes. While the maximum rent social housing providers can charge has also been unexpectedly capped by the Government.

Housing providers need to decarbonise and ensure fire safety as well as look to regenerate old homes. And there needs to be a level or rent control.

But it is important to ensure that the sector is also supported so that it doesn’t find itself in a position where it is having to offset these rising costs by cutting the number of houses it builds.

Providers are facing “significant additional costs” for necessary fire safety work, according to the report, and there is an “unhelpful disparity between the private and social housing sectors”.

Social housing providers should have the same access to funds for building safety remediation as private landlords.

The next Government will have a major task on its hands when it comes to fixing what is a broken housing market.

It should start by offering complete clarity over housing targets including social housing.