Key trends shaping the social housing hiring landscape

The social housing sector is facing unprecedented pressures, heightened by the introduction of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, which - since it came into effect in April 2024 - has placed extraordinary demands on frontline services. Future changes loom on the horizon too, with the government's focus on green belt development, local authority planning, affordable housing and climate efficiency shaping the market.

In addition to legislative changes, macro socio-economic factors such as skills shortages, the cost of living, rising salaries, private sector competition and an ageing population continue to impact the industry. With so many moving parts, one thing is for sure – keeping pace with ever-shifting legalities, economic conditions and other influences is becoming an increasing challenge for employers who are consistently battling fierce competition for top social housing talent to mitigate the skills shortages of their workforces.

Legislative changes mean mounting workloads

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act also brought changes to the Charter for Social Housing Residents, setting more stringent objectives for health and safety compliance, addressing damp and mould issues (linked to Awaab’s Law), ensuring tenant safety, improving response and service when dealing with tenant issues, and giving tenants a voice.

These legislative changes have led to an increase in disrepair claims and have played a key role in the surging workload of social housing professionals over the past 12 months, prompting many to change jobs. Employers have responded by adjusting salary levels in a bid to attract and retain talent. In fact, according to our 2025 Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide, 78% of employers in the construction and property sector increased salaries, with social housing professionals receiving above-average pay rises of 4.3%. Beyond attractive remuneration packages, organisations that offer hybrid working arrangements have found this beneficial for employee morale and work-life balance, ultimately supporting their retention efforts.

Political influences on social housing

The government's policies are significantly shaping the social housing market. One of the key focus areas includes green belt development, which aims to address housing shortages by limiting the protection of some of the land that was previously not allowed to be built on. The government is also investing in affordable housing projects to ensure that low-income families have access to safe and affordable homes. Meanwhile, policies aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes, such as the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements – whereby social housing and private rental properties in England must have an EPC rating of at least C by 2030 – are driving the need for retrofitting and other green technologies in housing.

Societal impacts are driving heavy talent demand

Several societal factors are contributing to the increased demand for social housing professionals and creating a competitive environment for hiring top talent. The rising cost of living and private housing rental prices are making it financially unviable for many people, driving them towards social housing. The sector is experiencing significant skills shortages, with 96% of organisations in the construction and property sector reporting shortages over the past year, according to our 2025 Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide. Additionally, there is an urgent need for support workers in areas such as mental health, prison leavers, homelessness, addictions, domestic violence, and support for military service leavers.

Future outlook for the profession

Looking ahead, the Social Housing Regulation Act, as well as the wider economic environment, will continue to increase the workload for social housing professionals, driving the demand for talent. Added to this, there is a sharp rise in demand expected for supported housing units between now and 2040; the majority of these will be needed for aged living. Social housing professionals who stay informed about legislative changes, adapt to technological advancements and proactively monitor local and national developments will remain highly sought-after. The sector must continuously adapt and invest to meet future challenges and opportunities. By leveraging sector expertise and addressing workforce dynamics, the social housing sector can navigate the pressures and capitalise on the opportunities ahead.

Are you searching for skilled social housing professionals to help navigate these market challenges? Reach out to one of our experts today to find out how we can support your hiring plans.