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This Month In Social Housing: April 2025

The daffodils have done their bit, the sun is starting to make the odd cameo appearance, and across the country, people are eyeing up their barbecues with cautious optimism—wondering if it’s finally time to rescue them from their six-month exile in the shed. Yes, summer is limbering up in the wings, and while the weather may still be undecided, the pace of change in social housing certainly isn’t.

From policy shifts to funding updates and everything in between, there’s been plenty to keep housing professionals busy this April. So, whether you’re reading this on your lunch break or while contemplating your first outdoor dinner of the year (fleece optional), here’s your essential round-up of the month’s most important sector news…

Only 2.5% of Privately Rented Properties Within Reach for Housing Benefit Claimants, Says Crisis

Only 2.5% of private rented homes in England were affordable for housing benefit recipients between April and October 2024, according to new research by Crisis and Health Equals. The steep decline from 12% in 2021–22 comes despite a recent housing benefit rise, with the rate now frozen until 2026. Crisis warns this gap between benefits and rents will drive more people into homelessness or temporary accommodation. The charity is urging the government to reverse real-terms cuts to housing support and commit to building 90,000 new social rent homes annually. Experts highlighted stagnant rental supply and rising demand as key pressures. The government said it is tackling the housing crisis through new homebuilding, tenant protections, and expanded financial support.

Call for Compulsory Checks and Alert Systems to Protect Children in Temporary Housing

A cross-party group of MPs has urged the government to take urgent action after a report revealed appalling conditions in temporary accommodation (TA), severely impacting over 164,000 homeless children in England. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee called for mandatory inspections, better inter-agency communication, and stricter oversight of out-of-area placements. The report exposed serious health and safety risks—including mould, overcrowding, and cold—as well as educational disruption and safeguarding concerns. Councils spent £2.29bn on TA in 2023–24, with the crisis worsening as demand rises and funding falls short. MPs demanded the government publish its homelessness strategy by July, increase support for councils, and expand access to social housing.

The image shows the word "Housemark" in bold white letters on a dark purple background. The letter "H" is stylized with a plus sign incorporated into its design. ©Mobysoft

Welfare Reductions May Drive £240m Increase in Social Housing Rent Arrears

Housemark has warned that social landlords could face up to £240m in additional rent arrears if just 5% of the UK government’s planned welfare cuts lead to non-payment. The warning comes as new data shows arrears in the sector have dropped 7% since January and 10% year-on-year. However, Housemark said the positive trend could be “short-lived” due to Spring Statement reforms affecting three million people, including cuts to Universal Credit and disability benefits. “This progress is fragile,” said Jonathan Cox, Housemark’s chief data officer. “The impact of forthcoming welfare reforms could reverse these gains.” The report urged social landlords to strengthen tenant support and pursue £23bn in unclaimed benefits.

Ministers Pledge Stronger Council Powers to Recover Vacant Properties

The government has pledged to strengthen council powers to take control of empty homes, following a campaign by Westminster City Council. The council wants to make it easier to issue Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) for properties left vacant for six months, down from the current higher threshold. EDMOs allow councils to manage long-term empty private homes with approval from a property tribunal. Westminster Council leader Adam Hug, speaking for the Local Government Association, said: “Reducing the EDMO qualifying period to six months would ensure more homes are available to meet local housing needs.” The move comes amid rising homelessness and a 10% increase in long-term empty homes over five years. The government said it is “determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited.”

Shelter Highlights ‘National Shame’ with 206,000 Children at Risk of Homelessness by 2029

Shelter has warned that 206,000 children in England could be homeless by 2029 without urgent investment in social housing and council budgets. The housing charity’s analysis forecasts a 42% rise in households in temporary accommodation and a 71% surge in related costs, reaching £3.9bn annually equivalent to £1,833 per household per month. Councils, particularly in London, are facing severe financial strain, with a projected £330m homelessness overspend. Shelter blames the crisis on the loss of over 200,000 social homes in the past decade. Mairi MacRae, Shelter’s policy director, said: “It is a national shame that so many thousands of children… are growing up in cramped, insecure temporary accommodation.” The charity urges the government to build 90,000 new social homes annually.

And that’s all from us for this month’s round-up! We’re all off to practise our best ‘networking nods’ and stock up on reusable coffee cups as we brace ourselves for the flurry of events, announcements, and very serious lanyard-wearing that the run-up to Housing 2025 is sure to bring to our beloved Manchester. Don’t worry though as we’ll be back here on these very pages at the same time next month to do this all over again. Until then though, sayonara!

Dean Quinn
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