PfP owns or manages 245,000 homes across the UK, including 74,000 social homes. It has the largest pipeline in its sector with over 13,000 homes expected over the next five years, and more than 2,000 completions set for this year alone.  

In the run up to the General Election in 2024, Places for People lobbied all political parties to build more social homes as part of its #TimetoBuild campaign and is encouraged by the UK Government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes.

However, the housing crisis goes much further than bricks and mortar and PfP says – alongside other social housing providers – it is well placed to support those at the centre of the housing crisis with the issues and financial pressures they face and can be a partner of government as it aims to improve living standards alongside building homes.

Results of PfP’s annual Wellbeing Survey have highlighted the scale of the issues faced by its social housing customers every day and the support needed. 

Barriers such as financial instability, physical and mental health difficulties, challenges in accessing employment and training, and digital exclusion are the realities of many Customers’ lives. In the last year:

• 31% of customers found it difficult to manage financially 
• 25% reported low life satisfaction — five times the national rate of 5%.  
• 10% of customers had cancelled their broadband or mobile phone contracts in the past year. 
• 37% of non-retired customers were unable to work due to long-term sickness or disability. 
• 24% were unable to put the heating on when it was cold  
• 23% struggled with debt
• 17% ran out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more
• 16% had fallen behind with gas or electricity bills.

The results of the Wellbeing Survey, which is undertaken annually by PfP, help to inform the work its social impact team plans and executes alongside communities in the UK so it can deliver help where it is needed.

This work contributed to the £334m of social value PfP created in 2023/24 and included the following wellbeing support: 

• 10,390 people helped who were homeless or at risk of being homeless
• 4,295 people supported towards education, employment or training
• 14,697 people supported with financial and digital inclusion - including £500,000 provided in emergency vouchers for food and energy
• 23,855 people supported through projects targeting health and wellbeing
• 29,808 people supported through projects targeting sustainable and resilient communities - including local Community hubs, events, food pantries and activities for young people.
• Over 450 targeted community projects delivered or supported by Places for People to help Customers - such as providing new or recycled furniture and white goods and self-defence courses for people at risk of domestic violence, and more  
• £50,000 invested to 32 local charities who manage foodbanks and warm spaces across the UK.

The £334m in social value PfP delivered to Customers in the last year includes £175m generated by housing and £159m via Places Leisure which owns or manages over 100 leisure centres.  It includes value generated through core services as well as the additional social impact activities, highlighted above.

As part of its Beyond Homes campaign, PfP said it will look to use its position as a leading social enterprise to assist government in driving real positive change across housing, health and wellbeing and also helping to address skills gaps and supporting more people into work. This will be boosted by PfP Thrive - PfP’s new training movement and delivery programme seeking to tackle the UK’s trade skills crisis and boost the future workforce of the housing sector.

Greg Reed, Group CEO at PfP, said: “Our country is in the most serious state of housing crisis we have faced in modern times. There are currently 159,000 children in England living in temporary accommodation with their families and 1.29 million households are waiting for a social home. This is absolutely not good enough.

“Our Time to Build campaign last year also found that one in five people in the UK fear they or someone they know will be homeless in the next year and the need for the right mix of quality, affordable homes remains vital. So, after years of a lack of serious action, I’m so encouraged by this government’s immediate focus on housebuilding since coming into office. With 13,000 new homes in our building pipeline over the next five years, the biggest in our sector, Places for People is ready to play a huge role in this.

“Whilst so much energy and resource must focus on housebuilding, far too many people are facing deep-rooted challenges and cost of living pressures which lead them to desperate places and we cannot solve the housing crisis without also focussing on the people at the heart of it. 

“Our role as a social enterprise has always gone well Beyond Homes because we know our customers need help, regardless of who provides it. Finance, homeless prevention, digital access, health and wellbeing, employment and education and more, we deliver support to not only prevent people falling into crisis but to allow communities to truly thrive. As a social landlord we know and understand the challenges and needs of communities as well as anyone.

“We know this government is acutely aware of the issues people face and that addressing them is a major priority. We now have a huge opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of so many and break down the barriers holding people back. Through not just our work to improve housing provision, but our support with health and wellbeing and skills and employment too, we’re ready to play a major role. We invite government to meet with our community housing managers in the heart of our neighbourhoods so we can discuss how we can go further together for those who need us most.”

Kevin Garvey, head of member relations at the National Housing Federation, added: “Housing associations are not only passionate about providing safe, secure, and affordable homes to people on the lowest incomes, but they also play a vital long-term role in the communities they serve. 

“With many social housing residents struggling with cost-of-living pressures, which can have a knock-on impact on their health and wellbeing, the Beyond Homes campaign is more important than ever in helping identify the barriers residents face and the support that is needed. 

“The NHF is dedicated to supporting our members to deliver their social purpose and provide affordable homes and support services to all who need them across the country.”