Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 95
The commercialisation of social housing can be traced back to the cut to government funding...
Conclusion
The commercialisation of social housing can be traced back to the cut to government funding in 2011. Whilst we would like the Government to provide more central funding for specific purposes, such as regeneration, building safety, decarbonisation and new housing, the sector is now clearly dependent on high levels of private investment, and will continue to be so. In many respects, this has had regrettable consequences. Many housing associations have charitable status because they exist to provide housing for those who have difficulty in affording market rent. The interests of private investors, particularly regarding their return on investments, must not outweigh the welfare of tenants.
Government Response Summary
The government states they continue to apply consumer powers robustly, encourage providers to improve services and engage with tenants, and share learning from casework with the sector to strengthen systems and processes.
Paragraph Reference:
95
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
22. In the meantime, we continue to apply our current consumer powers robustly, and encourage providers to improve their services and engage with tenants as appropriate. We share the learning from our casework3 with the sector, encouraging them to reflect on the lessons from these cases and seek to strengthen their systems and processes accordingly.