With record levels of people living in temporary accommodation, and costs continuing to escalate, change is needed to help tackle the UK housing crisis.

The private rental sector, in partnership with local authorities, could hold the key to better and more regulated social housing stock – but barriers in approach and attitudes remain.

John Angus, Managing Director at Switch Management, explores the current issues facing the sector, the importance of addressing tenant challenges, and how private landlords can help to unlock brighter futures for families in need.

The affordable housing shortage is at a crisis point, and it’s time to take a new, solutions-driven approach to tackle the record numbers of vulnerable families who are placed in sub-standard temporary accommodation.

Labour has pledged to build 1.5million homes in the next five years, yet we know that this alone won’t solve immediate housing shortages. The latest government figures reveal that a record 127,890 households in England are living in temporary accommodation[1] – and this will continue to rise unless we navigate a new route through the crisis.

An escalating issue

Local authorities have become reliant on sourcing expensive and sub-standard temporary accommodation, from budget hotels and B&Bs to hostels and bedsits. Offering varying levels of health and safety compliance, this results in poor living conditions for tenants, and a formidable financial impact for local councils.

New analysis from Shelter estimates that the number of households in temporary accommodation could surge by 44% by the end of this Parliament, putting 206,000 children at risk of homelessness.

Without critical investment, the cost of temporary accommodation could rise 71% to £3.9billion by 2029 – equivalent to £22,000 per household, per year.[2]

To help bridge the gap between rising demand and diminishing stock, the private rental sector could play an important role in providing a pipeline of stable, good quality housing to local authorities. However, a solid partnership approach must be built on trust and transparency between all parties – which is where specialist property managers, like Switch, can help.

Working in partnership

In today’s climate, many local councils lack the resource required to manage the escalating pressures of social housing provision. Coupled with a lack of standardised regulation across temporary accommodation and sky-rocketing costs for short-term rentals, there is an urgent need for higher quality, readily available housing stock.

The Switch Housing programme was launched during Covid-19, when we opened up hotels from our own portfolio to provide accommodation for vulnerable families in need of a place to live.

Through this work, we recognised the need to unlock a new pathway to find better housing solutions, with an urgent requirement for properties that were compliant, good quality and appropriate for families to live within.

We also believed that local authorities needed to take a new approach in how they work with the private sector, and look to address the negative stigma that remains around social housing tenancies.

Through our work with landlords across the UK, we appreciate that there is a level of concern and reticence around offering properties for social housing use – with previous experiences and common misconceptions meaning that many property owners are still reluctant to accept council-referred tenants.

We understand these concerns and are working to help rebuild trust and transparency, so that local authorities and landlords are better placed to build long-term partnerships that are not only mutually beneficial, but can make a difference for vulnerable families across the UK.

A new approach

The Switch Housing programme is designed to help address landlords’ key concerns, with built-in guarantees, so property owners have full assurance and protection in advance of a tenancy.

By putting a proper management structure in place, we can provide benefits including:

• Financial guarantees: Switch offers two-year tenancy agreements, regardless of a change in circumstances, meaning guaranteed rental income and low tenant turnover rates, with full financial and property protection.

• Full compliance: We conduct professional surveys of the property in advance, with condition surveys that are co-signed by the tenant and landlord, and complete regular inspections during the tenancy. We also offer a 24-hour call centre for tenants to ensure any maintenance issues are swiftly identified and addressed.

• Five-star management: We leverage our proven hospitality expertise to provide full property management services, minimising the administrative burden for landlords and ensuring their assets are fully protected throughout the tenancy – so they never have to deal with difficult situations alone.

• Family values: We’re proud to deliver tailored support programmes in response to tenants’ individual needs, including monthly food banks, school uniform provisions, and transport assistance. This investment helps to create a community within our properties, enabling tenants to settle successfully and thrive within their new homes.

• Free of charge: There is no cost to landlords to work with Switch, with fees paid by the relevant local authority.Long-term housing is a more affordable alternative to temporary accommodation, meaning the private rental sector can help to reduce the financial burden for councils while providing a better quality of living for families in need.

Firmer foundations

Without long-term housing solutions, those living in temporary accommodation today face cramped and dangerous living conditions, sub-standard facilities and frequent relocations, creating a sense of uncertainty that is detrimental to both physical and mental well-being.

By moving out of temporary accommodation and into private rentals, tenants can benefit from the stability and security to start to rebuild their lives. To achieve this, we must continue to encourage positive partnerships between local authorities and landlords. In doing so, we can all play a part in tackling the housing crisis and creating brighter futures.

To find out more, visit the Switch website or get in touch with Mikey Grewal, Business Development Manager mikey.grewal@swhm.co.uk and quote “Landlord Today”.

[1]https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/eighth_record_in_a_row_of_children_in_temporary_accommodation_as_one_in_three_homeless_households_placed_out_of_area_

[2]https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/housing_emergency_set_to_leave_206000_children_homeless_by_end_of_this_parliament_