The initiative aims to explore how enhanced sector-wide collaboration and investment in research and development (R&D) can address the most significant challenges facing social housing across the UK.

A preliminary ‘Sector Roadmap’ is scheduled to be launched at the NHF/CIH Housing Community Summit in Liverpool on 8-9 September 2025.

To ensure the project’s success, the organisations are calling for input from housing association members. HACT has launched a call for examples of collaboration within the social housing sector to understand the current landscape. They are seeking stories of both successes and setbacks to gather valuable insights from housing providers’ experiences of working with their peers. These contributions will directly inform the development of the sector-wide roadmap for collaboration and innovation.

Examples can be submitted by emailing Emily Malcolm at HACT – Emily.malcolm@hact.org.uk – 1 August 2025.

Additionally, SFHA and HACT will be hosting an online roundtable for chief executives and senior leaders on 19 August 2025, from 2-4 pm. This session will delve into the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, gauge the potential for collective action, and help design the future infrastructure for social housing R&D.

Chief executives or their deputies who wish to attend the roundtable are asked to register their interest by 17 July 2025 by contacting mharley@sfha.co.uk.