SOCIAL HOUSING FUND

Century R Partners bridges public and private sectors to finance essential infrastructure. We've collaborated with private funds and international life/pension investors to deliver stable returns via professionally managed UK social housing assets.

Timeline History of 
UK Social Housing

Timeline History of 
UK Social Housing

1919

Birth of Council Housing

The Housing and Town Planning Act 1919 (Addison Act) marked the beginning of state-funded council housing, enabling local authorities to build affordable homes for working families in the aftermath of the First World War.

1945–1951

Post-War Expansion

Following the Second World War, large-scale public housebuilding was prioritised to address extensive bomb damage and acute housing shortages,
embedding social housing within the welfare state.

1950s–1970s

Peak Social Housing Era

Council housing expanded rapidly and became a mainstream tenure, providing secure, affordable homes for around one-third of households across the UK.

1980

Right to Buy

The Housing Act 1980 introduced the Right to Buy policy, allowing council tenants to purchase their homes at discounted prices, resulting in the large-scale loss of social housing stock.

1990s

Shift to Housing Associations

Direct council housebuilding declined significantly, with housing associations becoming the primary providers of new social housing under a more market-led framework.

2010s

Austerity and Reduced Supply

Public spending cuts and changes to housing policy
constrained investment in social rent homes, contributing to a widening gap between supply and
rising housing need.

2020s–2026

Housing Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living
crisis intensified existing pressures, leading to record waiting lists, increased homelessness, and demand far exceeding the availability of social housing.

Social Housing Fund

Gov.uk, 2025 Housing White Paper

UK social housing shortage: 1.4 million homes needed by 2031

Regulator of Social Housing, 2025

Rental income backed by government benefits: 99% occupancy rates in supported housing

Growing Demand for Social and Affordable Housing

London remains the epicenter, with over 336,000 households waiting—a 10-year high representing roughly 25% of the national total.

As of March 2025/2026, roughly 131,000 to 132,000 households are living in temporary accommodation (TA), including hotels and B&Bs.


The current government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, with a new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) aimed at delivering 300,000 affordable units over 10 years (with 60% as social rent).

Key Indicators of the UK Housing Gap

London waiting list

336,000

Typical extreme wait time in some areas

18 years to 100 years

Gap vs Delivery homes

90,000 VS 12,198

Estimated need per year

145,000 affordable homes (incl. ~90,000 social rent)

Backlog shortfall estimate

296,000 homes

UK Social Housing Sector: Leasing Model

UK GOVERNMENT LOCAL AUTHORITY CHARITY/ HOUSING ASSCIATION PROPERTY OWNER/ INTITUTIONAL LANDLORD FAMILY IN NEED Rent Remove the risk of defaulting tenants UK GOVERNMENT LOCAL AUTHORITY FAMILY IN NEED CHARITY/ HOUSING ASSCIATION PROPERTY OWNER/ INTITUTIONAL LANDLORD Rent Remove the risk of defaulting tenants

    Supporting Families & Individuals in need

    Housing support for adults with physical disabilities, mental disabilities – or a combination of both – was limited in terms of choice and quality. A longer term, more strategic approach was needed to blend property needs with care needs as well as ensuring value for money for the institutions and authorities funding it.

    Supporting Families & Individuals in need

    Young families stuck in their starter homes thanks to the UK housing crisis. The arrival of a child is a good a reason as any to upsize, but this is no longer an option for many ‘second steppers’. – The Guardian, Kristy Major, Jan 2025.

    “The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) was adopted by all UN member of states in 2015 and affordable housing investment is recognized as universal social good within the SDGs.”

    UK Social Housing Fund joined as 
a Signatory of PRI on the 6ᵗʰ August 2021

    Investment Strategy: Impact Investment & ESG initiatives

    • The affordable & social housing sector is recognised as an universal social good within the SDGs
    • Within the SDGs “Access to adequate, safe and affordable housing” is a core target for SDG goal no. 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
    • CR Global investments reduces inequalities (SDG’s goal no. 10) supporting the marginalized and disadvantaged families
    • CR Global investments reduces carbon foot print by active-management in the refurbishment process, putting in place new Energy Efficiency Certificates to all the assets
    • This demonstrates that CR Global UK Social Housing Fund is not just a plain vanilla “Bricks and Mortar” investment

    Why Invest in Social Housing?

    Core Plus Strategy

    • Risk averse strategy (Core Plus)
    • Capital Preservation via asset-backed security
    • No requirement of repair and maintenance cost
    • 20 years CPI-linked lease with annual rental revision
    • Tenants are regulated and backed by Local Authorities
    • Established partnership with housing associations
    • Freehold or 999 years assets
    • No development risk

    Social Impact investment

    • Strong ESG credentials and a signatory of PRI
    • Social impact investment that affects people lives

    Management team

    Investment committee with more than 40 years of
combined experience in real estate investment

    Work with Century R

    For investment enquiries, portfolio partnerships,
    or co-investment opportunities.

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