Report reveals difficulties in social housing sector
Housemark, the UK's leading housing data specialist, has published a new report titled 'Raising the Bar' on Monday 9 September. The report sheds light on key challenges in the social housing sector and offers recommendations for improvement.
According to the report, the social housing sector faces several issues, including insufficient supply of affordable and quality homes, funding constraints, increasing tenant expectations, complex regulatory requirements, skills shortages, and workforce capacity issues.
One of the most pressing concerns is the compliance with regulatory standards. The report predicts a sharp decline in compliance rates with the upcoming Decent Homes Standard 2 (DHS2). It is estimated that nearly 600,000 additional properties in England could fail to meet the new standards within the first year, based on recent experience in Scotland.
The report also reveals that up to one million tenant complaints have gone unrecorded in the past year, eight times the number reported by landlords. Damp and mould issues remain the top cause for concern in social homes, with one in five cases resurfacing within a year.
Jonathan Cox, chief data officer at Housemark, stated that the findings from the report show how far the sector has to go. "Accurate data and proactive engagement are key to identifying issues before they become crises," Cox emphasised.
The report offers recommendations for improvement, including enhancing data analytics and performance measurement, investing in modern, energy-efficient homes aligned with net-zero goals, improving tenant engagement to co-design services and improve satisfaction, strengthening collaboration across housing providers and local authorities, and adopting innovative construction methods and digital technologies.
Moreover, the report highlights the importance of record-keeping, safety compliance, and the use of IT systems for analysis. It is recommended that housing providers act now to ensure they meet the new regulatory standards and provide a positive tenant experience.
In terms of service quality, the report shows that only one in three residents were satisfied with the way their landlord was handling complaints, which is the lowest score of all Tenant Satisfaction Measures. Three percent of tenants reported being treated fairly and with respect by their landlords.
Three in 10 landlords improved their satisfaction scores in 2023/24, but there is still room for improvement. Housemark's exclusive analysis shows that it takes 18 months to see service improvement actions reflected in satisfaction metrics.
In conclusion, Housemark's 'Raising the Bar' report provides valuable insights into the challenges facing the social housing sector and offers practical recommendations for improvement. It is essential for housing providers to take action now to ensure they meet the new regulatory standards and provide a positive tenant experience.
The housing sector's ongoing struggle involves meeting the rising expectations of tenants, with many suggesting enhancements to home-and-garden facilities as a key aspect of modern lifestyle. To tackle the insufficient supply of affordable and quality homes, the report suggests investing in modern, energy-efficient homes aligned with net-zero goals. Furthermore, the report underscores the importance of data analytics and performance measurement to address issues proactively, thus improving both the housing condition and tenant satisfaction.
