NAO launches investigation into the quality of social housing

The National Audit Office (NAO) has announced a review into the quality of social housing in England.

The public spending watchdog, said its work will “look at the quality of existing social housing in England. It will examine whether the reforms to the sector, and to the way it is regulated, are financially sustainable and likely to meet government’s aims for the quality of social housing.”

The NAO plans to look at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s understanding of the quality of social housing and its vision and plans for reforming the social housing sector and how it is regulated.

It will also look at the effectiveness of the social housing system, funding mechanisms and regulatory frameworks in ensuring homes are safe and decent. It will look at the pace and scale of change and outcomes for tenants.

The NAO points out that MHCLG has introduced a number of reforms to improve safety, quality and oversight of social housing following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 and the death of two-year Awaab Ishak following exposure to black mould in 2020.

The report will be published later this year or in 2027. To provide evidence email enquiries@nao.org.uk, putting “The quality of social housing” in the subject line.