The impact measures have been developed by HACT and the Centre for Excellence in Community Investment using information submitted by a coalition of social housing organisations across the UK.

Andrew van Doorn, chief executive at HACT, said: “This second set of impact measures shows the continued impact of social housing organisations in supporting and sustaining residents and communities at this crucial time, as well as its ability to adapt to new needs.

“If we aggregate these figures, it would indicate that the sector has provided over £1.3 million in financial assistance, made nearly 1.4 million welfare calls and identified half a million vulnerable residents since the COVID-19 pandemic began.”

He added: “The sector has engaged with our residents on a scale that has never been seen before, responding to their individual needs, whether with food parcels, advice and guidance, financial assistance or just a regular call to see if they are OK. 

“As we move out of the emergency response phase of this crisis and begin to look to the longer term, the priorities of residents and the level of support they require is changing. More people are asking for, and receiving, advice and support. Almost 60% of the total amount paid out in financial assistance was paid out in May. And 40% of those resident identified as at risk of arrears happened in May as well.”

The numbers of social housing organisations contributing their impact measures to HACT increased over the past month: 70 organisations contributed data, representing over 1 million homes or 36% of the total UK social housing stock.