Figures from the newly published 2022-23 report highlight a number of improvements compared to 2021-22 including an overall increase of 50,000 existing homes now rated EPC C or above, with 99% of new social homes built to this standard.

The benchmark figures are revealed in the housing data and insight company’s latest report which shows gradual positive progress in the sector’s performance across 19 KPIs.

In compiling the report, Housemark gathered ESG data from 121 housing providers who publish information based on the Sustainability Reporting Standard (SRS), a voluntary reporting framework for the social housing sector managed by Sustainability for Housing.

John Wickenden, research manager at Housemark, said: “As the first organisation to gather and report on this data each year, our latest ESG report enables housing providers and partners to access ESG data highlights ahead of full analysis from Sustainability for Housing.

“This year, as well as an increase in the number of landlords publishing ESG data, those who have published reports before are including more information. This is a positive trend in the sector, which raises transparency and accountability to regulators and financial institutions as well as the residents themselves.”

Environmental highlights from the report include an increase in landlords with strategies in place for waste, pollutant and water management, as well as responsibly sourced building materials, with around 1 in 3 now having these in place and almost half with plans to develop strategies.

When reporting on Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse emissions, landlords’ results remain variable. In spite of this, the proportion of ESG reports that include greenhouse gas emissions has increased from 30% in 2021-22 to 90% in 2022-23. As understanding of this measure increases, Housemark expects to see variability reduce and improved data accuracy.

Social measures included in the report highlight a reduction in the gender pay gap to 7.9%, down from 9.1% in the previous year, and an increase of 33 percentage points in landlords paying the Real Living Wage to all employees (from 57% to 90%).

The data also reports on affordability for residents, including an increase in the discount from the Local Housing Allowance that homes are being rented at (up to 33% from 28% in 2021-22).

Governance figures show that while steady progress has been made compared to previous reports, there is still a gap between boards and tenants in the representation of disabled people (5% board members; 55% tenants) and women (43% board members; 57% tenants). This has already been acknowledged by the sector, and we expect to see improvements as landlords work on EDI representation.