What evidence, if any, did the government use to inform his claim that 29% of social housing households currently have sufficient income to manage private rental costs in the lower quartile of the rental market?

Answer

The data underpinning this figure was measured by analysing private market housing options for any household currently residing in social housing based on Census 2023 data. It compares their household income without any form of housing assistance – including income-related rent (IRR), Accommodation Supplement (AS) and/or Temporary Additional Support (TAS) – to the cost of renting lower quartile private housing of the appropriate size within their Territorial Authority. The analysis looked at the overall renting population, including households paying IRR, those receiving AS and/or TAS, and those not receiving government housing assistance. This analysis indicates the overall proportion that may be able to afford private market rentals without housing assistance. The affordability estimate does not show other reasons households may need social housing, nor does it indicate if suitable lower-quartile private rentals are available where households need them.