Putting the ‘social’ back into social housing
Social housing is one of the largest single capital investments by the state in our poorest communities. Some £37bn has been invested by government into affordable housing over the last 35 years. But it is doubtful that the social return on this investment amounts even a tenth of that figure. By any measure, the potential of social housing in rebuilding civil society has been gravely underutilised. It is time to recognise that social housing providers are uniquely placed to deliver a far broader range of public goods and community benefits – and that their tenants desperately need them to adhere to this higher and better standard