A homelessness charity is set to take a major step into the housing market after announcing plans to begin purchasing properties directly, with the long-term aim of operating as a not-for-profit landlord. The move comes as pressure on housing supply continues to build across the UK, particularly within the social housing sector.
Crisis has confirmed it intends to acquire its first homes by summer 2026, with a target of securing at least 100 properties across London and Newcastle over the next three years. The initiative is being developed in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group, which is helping to support the charity’s expansion into housing ownership.
A shift towards providing long-term homes
The organisation says the plan is designed to offer more stable and affordable housing for people experiencing the most severe forms of homelessness. Rather than relying solely on temporary accommodation or short-term housing solutions, the aim is to provide secure homes that allow individuals to rebuild their lives with greater stability.
Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said the partnership marks the beginning of the charity’s transition into becoming a not-for-profit landlord. He explained that the support from Lloyds Banking Group will enable Crisis to start providing genuinely affordable homes to some of the people it works with.
He added that secure housing is central to tackling homelessness and stressed that while this initiative is an important step, it must be supported by wider action from government, particularly around increasing the supply of social housing.
Downie also highlighted that homelessness levels remain extremely high, making collaboration between charities, financial institutions and other partners more important than ever. He said partnerships like this allow organisations to take new approaches and place housing at the centre of long-term solutions.
Banking support and wider collaboration
Charlie Nunn, chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, said the organisation is proud to support Crisis in what he described as a significant and innovative intervention aimed at tackling homelessness through direct housing provision.
He said enabling a charity to purchase and manage homes for the first time represents a practical way of addressing housing need, particularly at a time when demand for affordable accommodation remains high.
He also emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration, noting that meaningful progress on homelessness requires cooperation between charities, businesses and public bodies. According to Nunn, initiatives like this are in everyone’s interest and should be encouraged if they can help deliver long-term solutions.
Lloyds Banking Group has also supported the launch of Crisis’s Good Place Lettings initiative, which aims to bring more social purpose into the private rental sector and improve access to housing for vulnerable tenants.
Pressure on social housing supply
The announcement comes against a backdrop of ongoing challenges in the social housing system. Data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows that in England, 16,291 social homes were either sold or demolished in the last year, while only 10,807 new social homes were built over the same period.
This imbalance highlights a continuing shortfall in affordable housing, with more homes leaving the system than are being replaced. The trend has added further strain to local authorities and housing providers already dealing with high levels of demand.
A wider shift in housing solutions
Crisis’s move into property ownership reflects a broader shift in how homelessness is being addressed, with organisations increasingly exploring alternative models beyond traditional support services. By becoming a landlord, the charity aims to provide longer-term housing solutions that offer greater security and consistency for those in need.
Although still in its early stages, the project represents a different approach to tackling homelessness by directly increasing access to stable housing. It also highlights growing recognition that addressing the shortage of affordable homes will require a mix of public, private and charitable involvement.
As housing pressures continue, initiatives like this may become more common, particularly if they prove effective in providing secure homes and easing demand within the wider social housing system.
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