This Month In Social Housing: August 2025
August always feels like it vanishes in a flash. Between family holidays, kids making the most of their final weeks off school, and the usual great British mix of sunshine and sudden downpours, the month has raced by. Parliament may still be enjoying its summer jollies and many in the social housing world took some well-earned time away, but the sector itself didn’t take a holiday. Far from it — August was packed with developments, announcements, and insights that will shape the months ahead. So, as we step into September, here’s your chance to catch up on everything you might have missed. Pour yourself a drink, find a comfy spot, and jump right into the latest edition of This Month in Social Housing…
Rough Sleeping in London Jumps by 26%
Rough sleeping in London has risen sharply, with the number of people living on the streets up 26% between April and June compared with last year, according to data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (Chain). The figures, described as “shameful” by Crisis chief executive Matt Downie, show 788 people were living on the streets and 4,392 were recorded as sleeping rough. Emma Haddad of St Mungo’s warned: “We should all be deeply concerned by these figures.” Charities welcomed recent funding but urged faster action, calling for a joined-up national strategy focused on prevention and housing supply. Riverside’s John Glenton stressed the urgency of passing the Renters’ Rights Bill, while Homeless Link said the system was at “breaking point.”
Report Reveals Social Rents Declined in Real Terms Over the Past Decade
Social rents have declined in real terms over the past decade, new analysis from The Housing Forum has revealed. Average rents rose from £92.30 in 2014 to £109.44 in 2024, but had they kept pace with inflation they would stand at £123.73. While the proportion of social tenants struggling with affordability has fallen, The Housing Forum warned the trend has placed “a lot of strain on the finances of social landlords.” Director Anna Clarke said: “Many social landlords find that their rental income is insufficient to fund their spending on repairs and maintenance, let alone to build new housing.” The government is consulting on rent convergence, which could see tenants paying £2bn more between 2026 and 2036.
Charities Warn Targeting Asylum Seekers Will Not Solve Housing Crisis After Court Ruling
A High Court has ruled that asylum seekers must be removed from the Bell Hotel in Epping by 12 September, after the local council argued the property had effectively been turned into a hostel without planning permission. The case, brought following weeks of local protests, has sparked concern it could set a precedent for similar legal challenges nationwide. Judge Stephen Eyre said the owners had “side-stepped the public scrutiny” that planning rules require, though he acknowledged the decision would cause “consequent disruption to their lives.” Homelessness charities condemned the ruling, warning it diverts attention from the root causes of the housing crisis. Shelter’s Mairi MacRae said asylum seekers “should not be blamed for decades of political failure to build enough genuinely affordable social homes.”
Surge in No-Fault Evictions Despite Government Pledge to Scrap Section 21
Shelter has renewed calls for the government to scrap Section 21 evictions after new figures showed 11,400 tenants were removed by bailiffs in the past year—a 9% increase. Ministry of Justice data revealed more than 30,000 no-fault eviction notices were issued between July 2024 and June 2025. Section 21 powers allow landlords to evict tenants with just two months’ notice and no reason given. Mairi MacRae of Shelter said: “It is unconscionable that more than a year after the government came to power, thousands of renters continue to be marched out of their homes by bailiffs because of an unfair policy.” The government insists its Renters’ Rights Bill, which will abolish Section 21, is on track to pass this year.
Year on Year Increase in Assaults Against Housing Workers
Reports of assaults against housing staff have almost tripled since 2020, a joint investigation by Inside Housing and Inside Housing Management has revealed. Data from 188 English councils showed 3,017 incidents of verbal, physical or sexual assault in 2024, compared with just over 1,000 four years earlier. A further 3,070 assaults were logged by 40 housing associations, representing a 37% year-on-year rise. While some councils said better reporting systems partly explain the increase, sector leaders warned the trend reflects growing pressures. “Cost of living pressures [and] the mismatch between supply of accommodation and demand… are creating a really pressurised environment,” said Anne-Marie Heil of Stockport Homes. Resident groups also linked the surge to wider anti-social behaviour, highlighting “deeper systemic issues.”
And that’s August’s edition of This Month in Social Housing done and dusted! As the last of the summer holidays fade and September settles in, it’s time to swap beach towels for blazers and get ready for the busy months ahead. Whatever the weather—be it one last burst of sunshine or the first autumn drizzle—we’ll be back with more news, stories, and insights to keep you up to speed. Until then, Moikka!
- This Month In Social Housing: October 2025 - October 31, 2025
- This Month In Social Housing: September 2025 - October 1, 2025
- This Month In Social Housing: August 2025 - September 2, 2025