If you’re heading up a homelessness team in a local authority right now, chances are you’re dealing with tighter budgets, rising demand, and fewer options for placing people into proper housing. It’s tough, right? Now, add the shrinking availability of suitable properties in the private rented sector (PRS) (research suggests that just 5% of London’s private rentals are affordable to low-income households) into the mix, and it’s clear we’ve got a big challenge on our hands.
However, investing in Private Sector Housing Teams could be the game changer local authorities need. Supporting small landlords while creating better housing opportunities doesn’t just help homelessness teams - it benefits the whole community. Here’s more on how…
What’s the Problem?
The private rented sector has always been crucial for managing and preventing homelessness. But the landscape is changing…and not exactly for the better. Most of the properties in the PRS are owned by small landlords - think one or two properties max. For many, these properties are more than just investments. They’re pensions. Yet, these small landlords are finding it increasingly hard to stay in the game.
Why? Rising costs, stricter regulations, and a shifting housing market make it less appealing to stay. And those who do carry on face added hurdles, like meeting tighter energy efficiency rules or renewing mortgages at higher interest rates.
For local authorities, the knock-on effects are huge. More Section 21 notices mean more people becoming homeless. Add to that a diminishing pool of affordable stock (rents are rising well beyond local housing allowances), and homelessness teams are left scrambling. Concentrations of low-income households are now packed into poorer-quality homes, while local authorities have fewer options to discharge their responsibilities.
Combine this with growing populations and complex cases from asylum seekers, and you’ve got a perfect storm.
The Landlords’ Perspective
It’s not just tough on local authorities; landlords are feeling the squeeze too. Many aren’t property experts - they’ve got one or two properties to manage - and for them, today’s regulations and rising costs can feel overwhelming.
Changes like the Renters Reform Bill shift some of the risk previously carried by tenants directly onto landlords. Energy efficiency regulations mean hitting EPC C standards by 2030, on top of already strict electrical safety rules. And this is leaving many landlords asking whether it’s worth holding onto their rental properties at all.
What happens when they finally throw in the towel? Supply goes down. Tenants have even fewer options, and homelessness numbers creep higher.
The Opportunity for Local Authorities
But it’s not all doom and gloom. And on the other side of the coin there are real opportunities for local authorities to step in and make a difference - both for landlords and their tenants. By investing in Private Sector Housing Teams, councils can make the most of a wide range of funding sources to knit together smarter, more proactive solutions.
This isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s already happening in some areas. Local authorities that have merged functions under one roof, bringing housing services and homelessness support together under a single management structure, are seeing results.
What’s more, an array of funding streams is available to offset costs. For example:
- Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) provide grants to improve hospital discharge rates.
- Better Care Funds or Disabled Facilities Grants help renovate and adapt housing.
- Utility companies offer help with insulation, while government grants can cover £7.5k for air source heat pumps.
- There’s even the flexibility from the Homelessness Prevention Grant, which councils can use creatively.
With these and other opportunities (think recycled renovation grants or MHCLG funding) investing in a proactive Private Rented Sector Team can be cost neutral. Not only does it ease pressure on tight General Funds, but it also provides tangible benefits to the community.
A Win for Landlords, Tenants, and Communities
Most landlords want to be good landlords. They want to take care of their tenants and keep their properties in great shape. Offering them the right support from the local authority makes a massive difference. Proactive engagement can take many forms, like providing advice on regulations, helping with grant access, and preventing landlords from selling up out of frustration.
This approach attracts new landlords into the sector and gives existing ones the confidence to stick around. It also helps homelessness teams by creating access to more housing stock - homes ready for people who need them.
When landlords feel supported and respected, they’re far more likely to stay and do the right thing by their tenants. This builds stronger communities, reduces strain on homelessness services, and ensures properties remain up to scratch.
At Trueman Change, we’ve been working with local authorities to prioritise and build robust Private Sector Housing Teams. We understand the funding landscape and can help councils make the most of the broad range of grants and opportunities available. Whether it’s sourcing funds, building relationships with landlords, or improving service efficiency, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Here’s what we offer:
1. Consultancy Only
We’ll identify the grants you’re eligible for, advise on how to apply, and show you how these can be used to benefit both your council and the community.
2. Consultancy and Grant Applications
Beyond advice, we’ll help you apply for those grants and manage progress reports, so everything stays on track.
3. Full-Service Support
From consultancy and grant applications to relationship management with funders and stakeholders, we provide complete support, acting as a trusted partner.
4. Service Reviews and User Engagement
We can even lead on engaging with service users, demonstrating better outcomes through funding applications, and helping councils review their teams to improve internal capacity and coordination.
Get in Touch
Building stronger, more proactive Private Sector Housing Teams isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a game-changing step that supports landlords, tenants, and entire communities. By taking a forward-thinking approach, councils can attract funding, improve outcomes, and make meaningful strides in tackling homelessness.
If your council is ready to address challenges head-on and build a more integrated, effective service, we’d love to help. Contact us today to learn how Trueman Change can support your goals - from funding applications to stakeholder negotiation and everything in between.
Investing in housing teams now isn’t just about managing the crisis at hand, it’s about setting up for long-term success.
