The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said on 28 September 2026 that the government would bring forward amendments to the Social Housing Bill. The planned measures, as reported that day, were intended to retain more social homes, strengthen homelessness prevention and direct social housing to those most in need.

Under the plans, councils would gain powers to refer homeless households to private registered providers of social housing, aiming to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. A new disposals notification requirement would give councils and other providers an opportunity to purchase social homes before sale outside the sector, with the government intending to extend the notification period to eight weeks. A new Duty to Collaborate would require public services to work together to identify people at risk of homelessness.

The department also cited a previously announced £39 billion over ten years through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to support delivery of new social and affordable housing.