Published 22/09/2025
Unlocking Social Housing Challenges: Solutions and Future Growth
Paul Instrell, Chief Commercial Officer of wienerberger UK & Ireland, shines a spotlight on social housing, the potential for growth and the challenges that need to be overcome to improve people’s lives.
Social housing is a sector in our industry that is all-too-often overlooked but holds immense potential for future growth.
17% of UK households live in social accommodation, representing 16% of the total housing stock. But, as with many of our industry sectors, there are political, social and economic challenges and opportunities.
Financial Strains & Funding Gaps: A Sector Under Pressure
Social housing providers are navigating a perfect storm of financial pressures. Inflation is driving up the cost of materials and labour. Maintenance backlogs are growing. Decarbonisation targets are looming and new compliance requirements, such as Awaab’s Law which mandates rapid repairs in response to health risks, are stretching existing budgets.
The numbers are stark. £50 billion is estimated to be needed over the next five years just to bring existing stock up to modern standards. However, with rising costs and reduced funding, many providers are forced into difficult trade-offs in the form of either fewer homes upgraded, or lower quality work delivered.
This is where manufacturers like wienerberger can step in. Not just as a supplier, but as a strategic partner, by helping providers do more with less. Product and service innovations will be essential to reduce installation time, improve energy efficiency, and lower lifecycle costs.
Construction & Planning Barriers: The Need for Speed and Skills
Even when funding is secured, progress is often stalled by systemic barriers. There’s a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, and planning approvals are slow, not because of lack of intent, but because local authorities are stretched thin.
Projects stall, timelines slip, and the people waiting for safe, warm homes are left in limbo.
This is a space where wienerberger strives to think beyond products and invest in the future skills needed to support our industry. For example, we recently joined the Home Builders Federation’s Partner a College programme, supporting apprentices across a range of different construction disciplines. Our sponsorship and product donations support the Guild of Bricklayers and SkillBuild in their mission to celebrate construction skills and develop the next generation of tradespeople.
Quality, Safety & Regulatory Pressures: A Moral and Market Imperative
A recent study revealed that 73% of social housing applicants are living in unhealthy accommodation. Damp, mould, and poor insulation aren’t just inconveniences, they’re threats to mental and physical health.
The government is responding with consultations on a reformed Decent Homes Standard and a push for EPC C ratings by 2030. That means compliance demands are only going to increase, and providers will need trusted partners to help them meet those standards.
Our Renatus retrofit service, which brings together our full product offer, design services, and warranty guarantee addresses many of these needs. But as a trusted partner to the social housing sector, we will keep pushing to deliver comprehensive solutions that respond to the ever-changing landscape our customers are navigating.
Faced with a £50 billion funding gap and mounting pressures from rising costs, reduced funding, and regulatory demands, the social housing sector is at a crossroads. Manufacturers like wienerberger have a pivotal role to play, not just as suppliers, but as strategic partners, offering product and service innovations that help providers do more with less, while helping close the skills gap. Ultimately, improving quality, safety, and compliance is not optional, it is imperative. That will require collaboration between all stakeholders to deliver lasting, comprehensive solutions for those in need of safe, healthy homes.
At wienerberger, we believe collaboration is key to solving the challenges facing the social housing sector. If you’d like to explore how we can support your next project, get in touch with us via our contact form
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