Recommendation 21

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.