The G15 Residents’ Group, established in 2023, continues to ensure residents’ perspectives are fully represented in Government housing consultations. In our response to the rent convergence proposals, we were one of only 14 resident groups to contribute. We highlighted the challenge of balancing the need for landlords to deliver safe, warm and well maintained homes with the financial pressure this places on residents. As not for profit organisations reinvesting all rental income, social housing landlords urgently need sustainable funding to maintain and improve homes alongside increases in regulatory and operating costs.
The current rent system remains confusing, with neighbours in identical homes paying different rents. Rents for new residents are set at target rent, but for longer established residents, rents were reduced by 1% each year for four consecutive years from 2016 and increased by less than inflation for a further year. The aim of rent convergence is to ensure all rents move to the target rent over time.
Rent convergence will begin in April 2027 at £1 per week, rising to £2 per week in April 2028. While gentler than the £3 per week increase advocated by landlords, these rises will sit on top of CPI+1%, meaning affected households will face increases above inflation.
Against this backdrop, Southern Housing has substantially increased investment in its existing homes, addressing historic backlogs and improving safety and quality. Southern Housing is spending more per home on repairs and maintenance than most large housing associations, supported by a three year £30m efficiency programme.
Whilst this is good news for existing residents it’s not great news for households on council waiting lists because Southern Housing is building far fewer new social homes than in the past. As well as addressing the issue of different groups of residents paying different rents for similar homes, rent convergence will help in two other ways. Firstly, alongside our efficiency programme it will help Southern Housing invest in existing homes and, secondly it will increase capacity to build more social housing to help the 1.3 million low-income households on council waiting lists.
As rents increase, Southern Housing’s Financial Inclusion Team will help residents maximise their income including helping with welfare benefit claims. It’s important residents get in touch with Southern Housing if they experience difficulty paying their rent. The Southern Housing Board ensures our Financial Inclusion Team and Customer Accounts Team provide help and support to thousands of residents each year.
The G15 Residents Group will continue to advocate for fairness, clarity and proper support on areas of housing policy ensuring residents’ voices remain central. Our work with G15 will help shape solutions for the 850,000 residents we collectively represent.
Looking ahead, Southern Housing now has the time and clarity needed to plan carefully for these changes. This phased approach allows Southern Housing to continue strengthening investment in existing homes, raise standards further, and ensure residents benefit from safer, better maintained and more secure homes for the long term.
Daisy Armstrong is a Southern Housing resident and a Board member, and Chair of G15 Residents’ Group