Consultation on Social Housing REITs Launched

The Treasury has launched a joint consultation with Communities and Local Government on social housing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), as announced in George Osborne's Budget last month.  The chancellor said the Government wanted to explore the role REITs can play in supporting the social housing sector - a move welcomed by a number of housing associations.  The current Finance Bill is introducing a series of measures to support entry to and investment in REITs. This consultation, says the Government, will build on these measures considering potential further changes to the framework to support the establishment of social housing REITs. It’s being viewed by the sector as another way to plug the gap in grant funding – allowing providers to raise new capital to recycle into housing provision.  Download the consultation documents from the Treasury website.