05 Aug 2026
A new report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has highlighted growing concern among housing professionals that local government reorganisation (LGR) could disrupt housing services and weaken the focus on housing during the transition to new unitary councils.
The report, based on responses from 54 housing professionals across England, found that more than half (53%) of local authority respondents rated their concern about maintaining housing service continuity during reorganisation at eight out of 10 or higher.
Housing registers and allocations were identified as the services most at risk of disruption, cited by 66% of respondents. Other areas highlighted included housing strategy (58%), regulatory and compliance work (50%), temporary accommodation (50%) and homelessness services (47%). Respondents also raised concerns about workforce uncertainty, the loss of experienced staff and the risk that housing could become a lower priority as councils focus on other services such as adult social care.
While the survey found that most councils have not yet experienced significant delays to housebuilding as a direct result of reorganisation, CIH says there are growing concerns that uncertainty and competing priorities could slow housing delivery and delay longer-term strategic decisions. Housing associations also expect changes in how they work with local authorities once new council structures are established.
The report also highlights concerns from rural housing providers, who fear that larger unitary authorities may place greater emphasis on urban areas and have less understanding of the distinct housing challenges facing rural communities. Respondents stressed the importance of ensuring that local voices continue to be heard within larger councils.
In response, CIH is calling on the Government to provide clearer, housing-specific guidance to support councils through the reorganisation process. Its recommendations include publishing a dedicated implementation timetable, introducing a “day one” checklist for statutory housing services, ensuring councils have sufficient staffing and resources, and issuing technical guidance on merging Housing Revenue Accounts and housing allocations systems.
