How is the Social Housing sector shaping up?

Welcome to Baker Tilly’s 2011 social housing sector survey.

 Download the full survey results

In our 2010 report we looked very closely at the effects of the recession on the social housing sector and on how organisations were facing up to the significant economic and legislative challenges ahead of them.

Twelve months later a new government and the sector still has some tremendous challenges to overcome, not least the cuts in Government spending, the VAT increase to 20%, reduced grants, changes to housing benefit and rent restructures.

This survey looks at how the sector is coping in this testing economic environment and, more specifically, how social housing organisations have been affected by last autumn’s Comprehensive Spending Review and changes to Housing Policy.

Once again, in compiling this research we have canvassed the opinions of ALMOs, LSVTs and traditional housing associations.   The fieldwork was conducted in January and February of this year and represents the views of 85 respondents based in England and Scotland.  Over three quarters of the sample own and manage between 2,500-10,000 units, while 20% have property portfolios exceeding 10,000 units.

We trust that this report will, once again, give you a valuable insight into the social housing sector, as it is now and as it will be in the near future.

If you would like to discuss any issues contained within it, or have any comments, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or one of my Baker Tilly colleagues.

Gary Moreton
Partner
Head of Social Housing Group

Table of contents:

Introduction
Summary of key findings
Economic viewpoints
Views on current housing policy
Sector implications
The next 12 months
Funding and development
Conclusion

 Download the full survey results