Earned Income DISREGARDS Regulations come into force from 5 October 2026, allowing people living in supported housing and temporary accommodation to retain more of their earnings when they start work or increase their hours.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England and the National Housing Bank have, on 2 October 2026, signed a 3 year Place Delivery Agreement, creating a shared framework,, to accelerate housebuilding, unlock regeneration, and support economic growth, across the City Region.

MHCLG has on 27 September 2026 announced reforms to EMPTY DWELLING MANAGEMENT ORDERS , to strengthen the regime and support councils to use the powers more effectively, by REDUCING THE PERIOD a property must be empty before it becomes eligible for an EDMO from 2 years to 6 months, and by streamlining the application process.

A House of Commons Library Brief, published on 14 September 2026, discusses RTB in England.

A House of Lords Briefing Paper published on 14 September 2026 examines empty homes in England.

R ( GRIFFITHS-FOWELL ) v BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL ( 2026 ) EWCA 920 holds at para 109 that Section 193(6)(d) of the HOUSING ACT 1966 applies to a case where a person voluntarily ceases to occupy as his only or principal home accommodation which has been made available to him in accordance with Section 102, that is accommodation which is “ suitable “ for him. If the accommodation is UNSUITABLE then it has not been made available in accordance with Section 206 and the duty under Section 193 ( 2 ) is not discharged by virtue of Section 193 ( 6 ) ( d ).

R ( Howard de Walden Estates Ltd ) v Westminster City Council( 2026 ) EWHC 1731 ( Admin ) holds that designating an area for selective licensing under SECTION 80 of the HOUSING ACT 2004 by reference to ward boundaries was lawful. Every property in a designated area does not have to be inspected or benefit from improvement. It is sufficient that a significant number of properties be inspected and general housing conditions in the area as a whole be improved.

The SOCIAL HOUSING BILL aims  (1) to protect social housing stock, in particular by reforms to RIGHT TO BUY, and (2) to support social housing tenants who are VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

R ( Freedom from Torture) v SSHD (2026) EWHC 1278 ( Admin) holds that SSHD acted unlawfully by amending her allocation of ASYLUM ACCOMMODATION Policy without CONSULTING specialist Charities supporting SURVIVORS OF TORTURE & TRAFFICKING, contrary to established PRACTICE, and in breach of the PSED and the Tameside duty of inquiry.

A SOCIAL HOUSING BILL was introduced on 14 May 2026. Part 1 relates to RIGHT TO BUY, and Part 2 to protection of tenants from domestic abuse.