Southern Housing

Southern Housing, a social housing provider with 125 years of history

Southern Housing is a charitable registered society in the UK that manages approximately 80,000 homes distributed across London, the South East of England, the Isle of Wight and the Midlands. More than 167,000 people live in its properties. The organisation describes itself as one of the largest housing providers in the country and operates as a registered charitable society (Reg No 8983) and with the Regulator of Social Housing (Reg No 5171).

Origin and evolution: from Samuel Lewis to the present day

The organisation's history dates back to 1901, when businessman Samuel Lewis left funds in his will to create a housing charity aimed at offering low rents to people in need. Guided by his wife Ada, the first housing development, consisting of 151 high-quality flats, opened in 1910 on Liverpool Road in Islington. Over 125 years, the organisation has incorporated other housing charities: in 1945 Joan Bartlett created Hearth and Home to support older people left homeless after the Blitz; in the 1960s, 1990s and 2000s, small organisations that emerged from community groups and former council housing requiring major improvements joined.

Types of housing and services offered

Southern Housing's offer covers different housing options and associated support:

• Traditional social rent
• Shared ownership
• Affordable rent
• Private market rent
• Student accommodation
• Keyworker accommodation
• Care and independent living
• Open market sale of homes, both new build and pre-owned

In addition, the organisation offers management services for tenants and homeowners, such as moving home management, rent and money matters, repairs and improvements, and damp and mould treatment. It also has financial support programmes, community projects, digital support, energy saving advice, domestic abuse support, tenancy support and advice on scams and online fraud.

Commitment to continuous improvement and transparency

The organisation states that all income it receives is used to operate the business, is reinvested in services for residents, funds repairs and improvements to homes, and supports the construction of new homes. Among its current priorities is updating older homes so they are safe, accessible, energy efficient and meet modern standards. Southern Housing publishes information on its quarterly performance and the results of tenant satisfaction surveys (Tenant Satisfaction Measures), and maintains an information publication scheme in line with the STAIRs (Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements).

Recent activity and resident involvement

The website features various initiatives and notices. These include the call for the Shine Bright Awards, which invites nominations for neighbours; the celebration of the organisation's 125th anniversary; and the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2026. It also provides information on Gas Safety Week, with campaigns to promote essential checks, and on the Bob Fowler community allotments, which celebrated their third year with Green Flag recognition. Other news mentions resident participation in developing strategic influence tools under TPAS 2026, the celebration of Pride on the Isle of Wight and the opening of nominations for the Shine Bright Awards. Residents who have received a Section 20B notice are also informed that they should not make any payment or take immediate action, as it is not an invoice.

Accessibility and communication

Southern Housing's website offers translation into more than one hundred languages through the ReachDeck toolbar, accessible via an orange button in the bottom right corner. The organisation also provides residents with online services, a policy library, leaflets and publications, and contact channels for enquiries, complaints and suggestions.