With Coronavirus obviously taking the main spotlight for most of 2020, as well as continued debate over Brexit, financial and political uncertainty and the climate, there has only recently been a focus on residential and social housing issues across the country.
With an emphasis on restarting the economy and housing market, here are some main points that every social housing provider should consider for 2020 and into 2021.
- To raise finances housing associations may need to turn to capital investments and funding, with an increased diversity of lenders.
- Social care reform may come from social housing providers, with their obligation towards safety, society and community, especially in the absence of any action from politicians. This will have cost implications.
- Local authorities will turn to developing and managing their own housing, with an increase on last years figure of 13,000 new homes built by local authorities expected.
- A focus on climate change and greener houses will cause social housing providers to decarbonise their homes in a move towards sustainability and energy efficiency.
- The Conservative government has promised to extend the voluntary right to buy to social housing tenants, but social housing providers will not want to see stock leave the sector preferring to offer shared ownership schemes as a route to home ownership.
- A deeper look into cladding and the impact of Advice Note 14, issued by the government last year, with its effect on sales of high-rise units and the value of existing units.
Find out more
Our Affordable Housing team have over 25 years’ experience in this sector, forming close working relationships with their housing clients. To find out more about the areas they advise on and their bespoke services please visit their hub page or contact a member of the team.
