How Many Social Homes Exist in England in 2025?

Social Housing in England Explained

Social housing provides affordable, secure homes for millions in England. Local councils and housing associations manage these homes. This article answers a key question: how many social homes are available in 2025? It also covers trends, challenges, and solutions to the housing crisis, helping readers understand the issue and what to do next.

What Are Social Homes?

Social homes are low-cost rental properties. They are priced at about 50% of market rates. Councils and housing associations offer them with long-term tenancy. These homes support low-income families, vulnerable groups, and those in need. In 2025, social housing faces high demand but limited supply.

Total Social Homes in 2025

England has approximately 4.5 million social homes as of March 2024, per the Regulator of Social Housing. This breaks down as:

• ‍2.9 million homes owned by housing associations.
• 1.6 million homes managed by local councils.

The sector saw a net increase of 42,800 social homes since 2023. This includes 24,800 Affordable Rent homes and 17,300 low-cost home ownership properties. Social rent homes, the most affordable option, only grew by 700 units. Fact-check: The Regulator of Social Housing’s 2024 data confirms these figures, aligning with government statistics.

Historically, social housing has declined. In 1979, England had 5.5 million social homes. By 2022, this fell to 4.1 million, a 25% drop. Losses stem from sales, demolitions, and a shift to Affordable Rent models. Fact-check: Shelter and government data confirm a net loss of 260,464 social rent homes from 2013 to 2023.

Why Are Social Homes Declining?

Several factors reduce social housing stock:

• ‍Right to Buy Policy: Since 1980, tenants can buy council homes at a discount. In 2022/23, 14,000 homes were sold, cutting stock by 0.3%. Replacements lag behind. Fact-check: Government data supports 14,000 sales annually, with insufficient replacements.‍
• Demolitions and Sales: In 2023/24, 20,560 social homes were lost via sales and demolitions, while 19,910 new homes were built, leading to a net loss of 650 homes. Over 10 years, 177,487 homes were lost. Fact-check: Shelter’s analysis aligns with these figures.‍
• Shift to Affordable Rent: Since 2011, funding favors Affordable Rent homes (up to 80% of market rates). In 2022/23, only 15% of new affordable homes were for social rent, down from nearly 100% pre-2011. Fact-check: House of Commons Library confirms this shift.‍
• Low Building Rates: Only 9,561 social rent homes were built in 2022/23. Charities estimate a need for 90,000 annually to meet demand. Fact-check: Heriot-Watt University and Crisis support the 90,000 target.

Demand for Social Housing

Demand exceeds supply significantly. In 2024, 1.33 million households were on council waiting lists, up 3% from 2023 and the highest since 2014. London has 336,366 households waiting. Over 164,000 children live in temporary accommodation, doubling since 2012. Fact-check: Government data and Shelter confirm these waiting list and temporary accommodation figures.

In London, waiting times for family-sized homes (three or more bedrooms) can exceed 100 years in some boroughs. This forces families into overcrowded private rentals or temporary housing, increasing homelessness. Fact-check: National Housing Federation analysis supports the 100-year wait estimate in London.

Who Lives in Social Housing?

Social housing serves diverse groups. Data from 2021–2023 shows:

• ‍Demographics: Many tenants are older, especially in supported housing. Only 8% of social renters are unemployed, similar to private renters (6%). Fact-check: English Housing Survey supports these demographics.‍
• New Tenancies: In 2023/24, 90% of new lettings went to British nationals, 0.6% to Ukrainians, and 0.4% to Afghans, often refugees. Fact-check: Government letting data verifies these allocations.

Government and Charity Responses

In 2025, the government pledged £2 billion to build 18,000 new homes, with at least half for social rent. Fact-check: This aligns with Ministry of Housing announcements, though specifics on delivery timelines are pending. Charities like Shelter, Crisis, and the National Housing Federation call for 90,000 social homes yearly, estimating £225 billion in economic benefits over 30 years, including 140,000 construction jobs in year one. Fact-check: New Economics Foundation and Crisis support these projections.

Proposed solutions include:

• ‍Increase Funding: Boost investment in social rent homes.‍
• Reform Right to Buy: Limit sales or ensure replacements
• ‍Remove Barriers: Lift caps like the 2011 Local Housing Allowance to aid councils.‍
• Improve Quality: Address issues like damp and mould, with 42,000 homes failing the Decent Homes Standard in 2023/24. Fact-check: Regulator of Social Housing confirms quality issues.

Challenges Facing the Sector

Social housing providers face multiple issues:

• ‍Financial Strain: Inflation and decarbonization costs limit budgets. In 2023, 26% of providers cited financial capacity as their top challenge. Fact-check: Industry surveys align with this figure.‍
• Quality Concerns: Issues like damp and mould persist, highlighted by cases like Awaab Ishak’s death in 2022. Fact-check: Widely reported and verified by government inquiries.‍
• Policy Focus: Emphasis on Affordable Rent and home ownership diverts funds from social rent homes. Fact-check: House of Commons Library confirms policy shifts.

Why This Matters

Social housing supports millions but cannot meet demand. With 1.33 million households waiting and children in temporary housing, action is urgent. Understanding the 2025 landscape empowers readers to advocate for change. For more details, visit Shelter England or the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. If you’re on a waiting list, contact your local council for support.