Misinformation risks undermining real causes of housing crisis, major sector body boss warns

Inside Housing’s research showed that misinformation about migration is actively harming staff, residents and the housing sector as a whole.

Mr Smart’s concerns about misinformation have been echoed by Mushtaq Khan, chief executive of the Housing Diversity Network, who called on the sector to confront misinformation on immigration.

On a more positive note, Mr Smart told attendees at Housing Brighton 2026 that progress had been made over the past year.

He said: “The Spending Review and rent settlement have brought greater certainty – particularly around investment in affordable housing and the resources needed to respond to growing demand.

“And we now have a much clearer policy and regulatory environment. After a period of significant change and uncertainty, that clarity matters. It gives the sector more confidence to plan, to invest and to deliver.”

Ahead of the local elections tomorrow, Mr Smart described them as “a reminder that housing is not just a national issue, it’s deeply local”.

He added: “[The elections] will help shape the political landscape in the run-up to the next general election. There is a growing recognition – across the political spectrum – that housing has to be part of the answer to wider economic and social challenges.”

Ahead of the local elections, Inside Housing spoke to the Green Party candidate for Hackney, and looked at what the key housing pledges are in Scotland and in Wales, and how they differ from the debate in England.

Mr Smart also highlighted how homelessness and extended stays in temporary accommodation continue to rise, at a time when the sector ideally needs to deliver 90,000 social rent homes a year.

The government’s target under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme is 180,000 social rent homes over the next decade.

Mr Smart added: “Arguably the impact of housing shortage and the complex consequences it creates for affordability and access spills over into our politics and is increasingly expressed through more contentious debate, the propagation of misunderstandings and myths, and the attraction to apparently simple solutions to complex and long-standing problems.

“And we mustn’t forget the ongoing cost of living pressures. Many social housing residents are still facing difficult choices – between heating, food and other essentials – and that has real implications for arrears, well-being and demand for support services.

“It’s something all providers need to remain acutely mindful of. So while the framework is improving, the outcomes still need to catch up.”

For the sector to be successful in its delivery goals, the CIH boss called for “sustained commitment”, “investment and capacity”, “partnership”, and “a clear sense of purpose”.