At their inception, Social Rent homes—then known as council housing—were built as “homes for heroes,” symbolising a society that valued everyone and offered them a place to belong. Today, that vision is just as important. Social Rent homes aren’t just about providing housing for those in need; they’re about creating homes for the people we all rely on—teachers, nurses, retail and care workers, and countless others who make our communities thrive.

Why Social Rent Homes Make Sense
Social Rent homes aren’t just a social good; they’re an economic investment. Consider these facts from those in know:

1. The cost to build Social Rent homes is 3–4 times their market value, requiring upfront subsidies or ongoing support to make them viable.
2. For a city-centre apartment, the subsidy needed is around £270,000–£320,000, while for a suburban house, it’s approximately £140,000–£155,000.
3. To build 90,000 Social Rent homes annually, the investment required is about £19 billion—a stark contrast to the current £2.3 billion annual allocation for all affordable housing.

But here’s the kicker: investing in Social Rent homes pays off. Redirecting the £2.3 billion currently spent on temporary accommodation per year and rising could become investment capital delivering a subsidy of £180bn which in turn could help deliver 860,000 Social Rent homes. This would turn a recurring cost into a sustainable investment, funded through innovative tools like housing bonds, after all Council housing is just public sector BtR supporting the community and housing market alike.

More Than Just Housing
The benefits of Social Rent homes go far beyond bricks and mortar. They generate significant economic activity, reduce housing benefit costs, and improve public health—leading to long-term savings for the NHS. Using estimates from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) these same 860,000 social rent homes deliver additional benefits at £324 billion. Simply put, Social Rent homes don’t just pay for themselves—they create value for everyone.

A Broader Vision for Inclusive Communities
Social Rent homes should be part of a bigger picture. Alongside Affordable Rent, Intermediate Rent, and Low-Cost Ownership models, they can help build mixed communities where people feel invested and included. These homes shouldn’t stand-alone but should integrate seamlessly into neighbourhoods with privately owned and market rental homes, ensuring diversity and balance. I was able to demonstrate works in Barking and Dagenham known as the Community Rent Model based on need and income.

The Virtue of Housing for All – Infrastructure Homes
For me, it’s time to move beyond the labels—especially “social housing”—which often carry unnecessary stigma. Let’s bring pride back into the virtues of building homes for every part of our community. 100 years ago, these homes were celebrated as “homes for heroes.” Today, they remain the most vital infrastructure we need to unlock growth and opportunity across the country. After all, our nation’s biggest challenge isn’t just roads, rail, or broadband—it’s housing.

It’s time to put homes at the heart of our infrastructure plans and build for the heroes of today and tomorrow.

As the UK government advances the Renters’ Rights Bill, I would once again advocate for the creation of a National Property Registry—a critical step toward ensuring quality and accountability in housing across all sectors. Nearly three years ago, in my role as Labour’s Local Government Spokesman on Housing and Infrastructure, I proposed a “Property MOT” concept. This vision involved a national property registry bolted onto the Land Registry and managed by local councils and funded by private sector housing operators, setting a consistent standard of safety and quality across all housing, regardless of tenure or ownership.

The concept of a National Property Registry goes beyond simple regulation. Imagine a system that provides real-time data on every property’s condition, energy rating, and safety compliance. Such a registry would enable transparent access to property data for tenants, homeowners, councils, and prospective buyers alike. It would empower councils to tackle issues like damp, disrepair, and unsafe living conditions proactively shifting from a reactive to a preventative approach in property management.

The Potential for Investment and Innovation

A National Property Registry would not only raise standards but also introduce a unique opportunity for institutional investment in housing quality. By establishing rental properties as a new asset class, this registry could attract substantial institutional funding for essential upgrades, retrofits, and sustainable improvements—all without imposing additional costs on citizens or the state.

This approach opens up pathways for sustainable finance, turning housing quality improvements into investable assets. With access to detailed property condition data, private investors could fund upgrades that directly enhance living conditions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce carbon footprints.

How It Could Work:

• Local Oversight with National Standards: Councils would take on the administration of the registry, providing regular, transparent checks that ensure compliance across all housing types. This local accountability would align with national standards, making housing quality a shared goal from local authorities to national governance.
• Institutional Investment in Housing Quality: With data on property conditions readily available, private investors would be well-positioned to finance critical improvements. This could be through mechanisms like low-cost loans for landlords or government-supported bonds for green upgrades, turning housing quality into a stable and impactful investment opportunity.

A Benchmark for Quality and Safety

A National Property Registry would do more than benefit renters; it would set a new standard for transparency and quality in housing across the UK. By giving councils the data they need to enforce standards and providing investors with avenues to support sustainable housing improvements, this registry could transform housing into a sector where safety, sustainability, and quality are fundamental, regardless of tenure.

It’s time to raise the bar on housing standards so that everyone has access to safe, high-quality homes.