650 social homes lost in England last year, while 1.3m households are stuck on waiting lists

Shelter calls on Government to invest in 90,000 social homes a year in upcoming Spending Review to end homelessness for good 

Today (6 February) the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has released experimental statistics on the total number of social homes lost across the country between 2023-24.  

The figures reveal:  

• 20,560 social homes were lost in 2023/24, primarily through Right to Buy sales and demolitions, while 19,910 new social homes were delivered, leading to a net loss of 650 homes for social rent.  

• More than 5,700 social rent homes were gained due to changes in tenure – reflecting a recognition by housing associations for the need for social rent homes over other types of ‘affordable’ home. 

• More than 1.3 million households in England are currently stuck on waiting lists for a social home, a rise of 10% in the last two years. 

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “As homelessness soars and over 1.3m households are stuck waiting for a social home, it is absurd that we continue to lose more social homes than we build.  

“Decades of chipping away at our social housing stock has left councils paying out billions to house people who are homeless and more than 160,000 children to grow up in often grotty, overcrowded temporary accommodation. With private rents skyrocketing, communities are being torn apart as people and families are priced out of their local areas – forced to leave their jobs, children’s schools and support networks behind. 

“As the biggest driver of social home losses to date, the reforms to Right to Buy discounts are a critical step – but let’s be clear, alone it will not end the housing emergency. To truly clear waiting lists and end homelessness, the Government must now commit enough investment at the next Spending Review to build 90,000 social rent homes per year for ten years.”  

ENDS