Social homes have many positives – the security of long-term tenancy, low cost, good quality accommodation and management, and access to a range of support services. Yet for years the perceived wisdom was that the tenure ‘traps’ residents into a cycle of dependency, lack of aspiration and choice. Now groundbreaking new research into the lives of tenants of The Hyde Group challenges this stereotype and calls for an overhaul of support services for a fast-changing tenure which accommodates nearly one in 10 UK residents.

Based on in-depth interviews with residents and Hyde staff the report finds tenants value their homes and greatly appreciate the security of long-term tenure. ‘Where are tomorrow’s heartlanders?’ argues that the policy focus on aspirations to ownership and full-time employment lets down heartlanders – the committed and engaged ‘glue’ of their communities. In contrast with what policymakers often tell us, tenants did not believe that ownership was ‘king’ because of risks, debt and uncertainty involved in buying a home.

One of the most striking findings was the extent and complexity of health needs of residents. Policymakers can no longer ignore this and must work together with housing providers to design and deliver much needed support services to these tenants. Many interviewed had physical and mental health issues, leaving them and their carers unable to work and relying on patchy and inconsistent support services. New social tenants are increasingly likely to have substantial and complex health needs.

A reduced supply of housing means that social homes tend to be allocated to those with the highest level of need, the most vulnerable residents. Hyde knows first hand that poor housing, health and low income are almost always closely related, a conclusion shared by the recent review by Sir Michael Marmot. However they are rarely dealt with by a single service or a close partnership. It is often the case that a housing officer will step into a role perceived as being the responsibility of other agencies, for example applying for disability living allowance and income support for their tenants.

Hyde has responded to demand by setting up in-house support services. They range from debt counselling to advice on how to get better qualifications and find a job, help for families and older people. The blurring of responsibilities for these kinds of services places a burden on housing associations and prevents the development of really appropriate local services based on an understanding of people’s needs and requirements.

Rather than calling on housing associations to start offering health and care services too, the report calls for a coalition of local providers working together from the start of a resident’s journey through housing and support services, assessed and dealt with at a single point of call. We believe that housing associations can become just such a service.

Housing associations, the NHS, income and employment, education and family support need to work together in order to give a better service to social tenants. If we don’t make significant changes in how these are provided, the already stretched housing services will be put under further strain. It will mean that some of the most vulnerable people will not be getting the support that they so urgently require.

Photo: Marcel Germain 2007