Social housing went from a source of pride to a place of prejudice. It's time to smash the stigma

There was a time when housing was something to be proud of and deeply connected to the well-being of society. The 19th-century industrialists like George Cadbury and Thomas Warner built homes for their workers and families, recognising that decent housing was more than just a roof over people’s heads – it was essential for building strong communities and ensuring a stable, productive workforce. These early efforts laid the groundwork for what we now call social housing, a vital part of creating a fair and functional society.

Today, things couldn’t be more different. Social housing is often treated as a last resort, unfairly associated with struggle or disadvantage. Instead of recognising its value, it’s painted as a problem, and those of us who live in it face unwarranted judgment, prejudice and stigma.

This week, the G15 Residents’ Group – a forum of involved residents from London’s leading housing associations that I’m proud to help lead a new report, titled Taking the Stigma out of Social Housing: The Residents’ View. Based on a survey of 3,000 social housing residents across London, it reveals the damaging impact of this stigma. Nearly half (45%) of residents have experienced prejudice because of their housing status. Over a third (35%) feel embarrassed about their address.

This isn’t just about hurt feelings. Stigma affects how we’re treated in our daily lives by landlords, banks, and even the police. It impacts career opportunities and relationships. It isolates us and fuels harmful stereotypes that couldn’t be further from the truth.

People assume that social housing residents don’t work, although many of us do. Others are retired, caring for loved ones, or in need of support for a short time, and those that are supported by benefits deserve respect for the many social contributions they make to their communities. The idea that we’re all living off handouts without any contribution to society is wrong and damaging.

Then there’s the misconception about where we live. People picture rundown estates or ‘concrete jungles’. I don’t live in a concrete jungle – I live in a Victorian terraced house, converted into flats. My neighbours and I take great pride in our homes and look after them, just like anyone else. People don’t see the effort we put in to make our homes look good.

Even issues like illegal rubbish dumping are misunderstood. People blame us, but more often than not, it’s non-residents fly tipping on our estates, thinking the housing association will clean it up.

Part of the problem is the language used to describe us. Politicians call us ‘tenants’ or ‘customers’ as if we’re just numbers on a spreadsheet. Some call us even worse things. But we’re residents. These are our homes, and the words used to describe us matter.

The stigma around social housing doesn’t just hurt residents – it hurts society. Essential workers like nurses, teachers, and delivery drivers often can’t afford to live in cities like London. Without social housing, they leave, and we lose the very people who keep our cities running.

Not-for-profit housing associations are doing their best, but they’re stretched thin. They’re expected to handle everything from fire safety works to antisocial behaviour, often without any support from government, central or local. As a result, our rents are being diverted to cover these costs, leaving very little money to build new homes and give more people the chance of a proper home. It’s an impossible situation, and residents like me see it every day.

The G15 Residents’ Group was set up to push for change. As social housing residents we know the challenges, but we also see the value of social housing. It’s time to move past outdated attitudes and recognise what’s really at stake.

A person’s home has long been seen as their castle—a place of security, dignity, and pride. But for too many social housing residents, that sense of pride has been eroded, replaced by prejudice and stigma. It’s time to rebuild that pride and dismantle the stigma that has taken hold. Social housing deserves to be seen for what it truly is: a cornerstone of strong communities and a foundation for opportunity.

Michael Verrier is vice chair of the G15 Residents’ Group representing residents in some of London’s biggest housing associations

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