Institutional investors are increasingly exploring opportunities in the social housing sector. This, the first edition of the NAPF’s new Investment Insight series - designed to provide an insight into individual asset classes - focusses on this sector.

Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental accommodation, provided mainly by registered social landlords (RSLs or housing associations) and local councils and usually with the aim of providing affordable housing. The Government supports social housing through a system of grants and housing allowances, and RSLs are highly regulated.

Today in the UK we have 1,700 housing associations covering around 2.5 million homes with an estimated unsatisfied demand for a further two million homes. This Investment Insight explores the USP’s, the risk and returns, the pros and cons, and how to access social housing investment.