This Month In Social Housing: June 2025
Sun hats, sizzling barbecues, Glastonbury coverage on the telly, and the frenetic buzz Housing 2025 can mean only one thing – it must be June, though it’s hard to believe we’re already at the year’s halfway mark (where does the time go, eh?).
While summer vibes take over, the social housing sector keeps moving, with new policies, big debates, and data-driven shifts bubbling away beneath the surface. So whether you’re fresh from a conference session or catching rays in the garden, here’s your essential round-up of all the social housing news worth knowing from the past month…
Report Urges Stronger Regulation of Temporary Accommodation to Prevent ‘Dangerous’ Conditions for Children
More robust regulation of temporary accommodation (TA) is urgently needed to protect children living in “poor quality” and “dangerous” conditions, according to a new report from the Shared Health Foundation (SHF). The charity highlighted a record 165,510 children in TA and revealed that 74 children have died since 2019, with TA cited as a contributing factor. The report calls for statutory standards, improved hygiene, urgent repairs, and tackling racial injustices. “Every child should have a home… where they are safe to sleep, to learn, to be,” said SHF’s Dr Laura Neilson, warning that TA often makes this “almost impossible.” A government spokesperson said it is “investing £1bn in homelessness services” and pledged reforms through the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Spending Review Confirms £39 Billion Affordable Homes Programme and 10-Year Rent Deal
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a £39bn Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) and a 10-year social rent settlement in the government’s Spring Spending Review, nearly doubling previous investment levels. The Treasury hailed it as “the first time in living memory that the government has set out a programme that provides 10 years of certainty,” aiming to support the delivery of 1.5 million homes. From 2026, social rents will rise by CPI + 1%, with consultation planned on rent convergence. Kate Henderson of the National Housing Federation called it “a transformational package for social housing,” while Shelter’s Mairi MacRae described the investment as “a watershed moment,” urging a target for social rent homes. A government source said the plan would help “turn the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis.”
Landlords Bolster Collection Teams as Rent Arrears Drop Across Sector
Rent arrears have fallen across the social housing sector, with urban councils seeing the biggest drop, according to Housemark’s latest data. Arrears among major urban authorities dropped 18.5% between April 2024 and April 2025, bringing levels below 4%. Overall, 68% of landlords reported lower arrears, while London landlords saw a 6.1% fall. Housemark attributed the progress to “sustained investment in income-collection staff and systems,” calling arrears figures “the best position” since 2021. However, responsive repairs fell by 10.9% compared to March, while on-time completions dipped slightly. Jonathan Cox, Housemark’s chief data officer, said: “These are clear signs that the sector is getting a grip on some of its most persistent challenges,” but warned “challenges remain” as Awaab’s Law looms this October.
Blakeway’s Term as Housing Ombudsman Extended by at Least One Year
Richard Blakeway will continue as housing ombudsman until at least July 2026, following an extension approved by housing secretary Angela Rayner. Appointed in 2019, Blakeway has overseen significant changes, including powers introduced by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act and the statutory Complaint Handling Code. The ombudsman service said: “We have seen significant growth in our remit, alongside increasing demands on our service, since Mr Blakeway was first appointed.” His tenure coincides with major reforms such as the Renters’ Rights Bill and Awaab’s Law, set to be implemented this autumn. A former deputy mayor for housing in London, Blakeway has also led initiatives tackling rough sleeping. Last month, his office backed creating a national tenant body amid a 474% rise in repair complaints, urging landlords to reassess emergency repair standards.
Government to Adopt ‘Test and Learn’ Strategy for Awaab’s Law as Further Details Emerge
The government will adopt a “test and learn” approach to rolling out Awaab’s Law, housing secretary Angela Rayner confirmed, pledging to “clarify or adapt our approach to deliver the best outcomes if we need to.” From October, social landlords must tackle emergency repairs within 24 hours and address serious hazards like damp and mould within set deadlines, with broader hazards included by 2027. The law honours two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from mould exposure in 2020. Rayner said: “The circumstances that led to Awaab’s death should never have been allowed to happen.” A call for evidence on “unscrupulous claims-farming activity” was also launched. Gavin Smart of the Chartered Institute of Housing hailed the measures as “a crucial step towards ensuring that all social housing residents live in safe, healthy homes.”
And that’s June’s edition of This Month In Social Housing neatly dispatched! We’re all off to fire up the spreadsheets and brace for budget-setting season, but not before idly sipping Pimms and munching on extortionately priced strawberries purchased from big Tesco as Wimbledon takes hold. July might well bring sun-soaked afternoons and the odd ice cream van jingle drifting through open office windows, but rest assured—we’ll be right back here next month with more news, views, and all the big social housing stories you need to know about. Until then, ciao!
- This Month In Social Housing: June 2025 - July 2, 2025
- This Month In Social Housing: May 2025 - May 31, 2025
- This Month In Social Housing: April 2025 - April 30, 2025