PM's Housing Promise Highlights Opportunity for Landlord Involvement in Social Housing

Last month Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a bold initiative to provide guaranteed housing for military veterans, young care leavers, and victims of domestic abuse. While this commitment is commendable, it also sheds light on the pressing need for immediate solutions to the UK's housing crisis – a gap that existing landlords are uniquely positioned to fill.

The Prime Minister's pledge aims to exempt these vulnerable groups from local connection tests, which most councils currently use to determine eligibility for social housing. This change would give these individuals priority access to social housing, regardless of their ties to a specific area.  In summary:

• Military veterans will be exempt indefinitely, extending the current five-year exemption period.
• Young care leavers and domestic abuse survivors will also receive this exemption, acknowledging their need to relocate for safety or support.

While this initiative is a step in the right direction, it faces a significant hurdle: the severe shortage of available social housing. Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, pointed out that "changing the rules for who qualifies for homes won't address the fact that there's just fundamentally not enough social housing available."

Labour has promised to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, but this target doesn't specify how many will be social homes. The time it will take to construct these new properties means that immediate solutions are needed.

This is where existing landlords can play a crucial role. By partnering with local authorities and housing associations, private landlords can help bridge the gap between the current housing shortage and the government's long-term building plans.

Here's how landlords can get involved:

Lease properties to housing associations - Landlords can offer their properties on long-term leases to housing associations, providing stable homes for vulnerable individuals.

Participate in supported housing schemes - Landlords can convert suitable properties into supported housing units, catering to the specific needs of veterans, care leavers, or domestic abuse survivors.

Engage in 'Buy to Lease' arrangements - Investors can purchase properties specifically to lease them to local authorities or charities working with these vulnerable groups.

Adapt existing properties - Landlords with suitable properties can make necessary adaptations to accommodate the specific needs of these tenant groups, potentially with support from local authority grants.

Engaging in these social housing initiatives can offer several benefits to landlords:

• Stable, long-term rental income
• No void periods and tenant turnover
• Potential for higher-than-market rents in some supported living scenarios
• Opportunity to make a significant social impact

The Prime Minister's announcement highlights a critical need in our society. While the government works on long-term solutions, the private rental sector has an unprecedented opportunity to step in and make a real difference.

At Supported Living Gateway, we're committed to connecting landlords with the resources and partners they need to enter this rewarding sector. We partner with social housing providers, as well as supported living providers and by working together, we can provide immediate housing solutions for those who need them most, while building a more inclusive and supportive community for all.

For more information on how you can get involved in supported living and social housing initiatives, please contact us at hello@supportedlivinggateway.com

You can read the original BBC news article here.