Review of Decent Homes Standard

The 2020 Social Housing White Paper included a commitment to review the  Decent Homes Standard (DHS) to determine whether changes are required to the current Standard, which dates back to 2006.

In February 2021, the Government launched its review, establishing a Sounding Board made up of representatives from across social housing to provide support and advice. Part 1 of the review concluded that the standard remains effective but may require updates to become more beneficial.

In February 2022, the Government published the Levelling Up White Paper which included the ambition to apply the DHS to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and reduce the number of non-decent rented homes by 50% by 2030.

Phase 2 of the review therefore focused on the development of a new Standard to operate across both social housing and the PRS. However, in July 2022 the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) released an update on the Decent Homes Review, stating that more time is needed to create a more measured approach to developing the policy.

Consultation – Reforming the Right to Buy

January 2025 – Joint CWAG, ARCH, NFA consultation response. The response accepts the government’s stated commitment to retaining the Right to Buy scheme whilst arguing for a range of measures to ensure the scheme is fairer and more sustainable, in particular that it does not compromise the ability of councils to replace homes that have been sold.

Consultation – Future Social Housing Rent Policy

December 2024 – Joint CWAG, ARCH, NFA consultation response. Using analysis undertaken by Savills for the wider social housing sector, the response makes the case for a longer term rent settlement based on CPI plus 1% for ten years plus convergence to formula rents. The response also highlights that additional funding to fund newbuild will be essential in the short to medium term.

As a follow up to the consultation, CWAG also joined other sector partners to send a joint letter to the Deputy Prime Minister highlighting the importance of a 10-year rent settlement, based on CPI plus 1% and convergence with formula rents, to stabilise finances within the social rented sector. Other signatories include the Chartered Institute of Housing, Association of Retained Council Housing National Housing Federation, Local Government Association, National Federation of ALMOs, and the Northern Housing Consortium.

2024 Autumn Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review Submission

September 2024 – Joint CWAG, ARCH, NFA Submission for both the Autumn Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.

Includes:

  • Long term rent settlement issues
  • Review of grant rates for both LAHF and AHP to reflect continuing increases in construction industry costs
  • Action to tackle claims harvesting in the social rented sector
  • Recognition of the continuing impact of the cost of living crisis on tenants