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Housing reform and its impact on children
Do recent changes to the law go far enough to protect children living in social housing from harm?
GROWTH, REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT
Emma Croft
Policy and Research Officer, Campbell Tickell
Emma Croft
Policy and Research Officer, Campbell Tickell
Issue 82 | February 2026
Children are among the most vulnerable to the effects of housing insecurity, poor living conditions and homelessness. So, do recent social housing reforms – the Renters’ Rights Act, Awaab’s Law and the new Decent Homes Standard – go far enough to protect children from harm?
Children have reduced agency or control of surroundings and are thus more susceptible to suffering long-term consequences of poor housing circumstances, including:
- Impacts on development and health: stunted by issues such as overcrowding and damp and mould.
- Educational disruption: research by the Children’s Commissioner found there is a correlation between house moves for children, and poor GCSE results.
- Emotional and social effects: impacting mental health and social wellbeing.
Awaab’s Law
Awaab’s Law, which came into force on 27 October 2025, seeks stricter landlord accountability for resolving hazards through a new 24-hour timeframe target. However, the regulation and its phased implementation overlook some risks facing children; for example, the risk of falls.
In England, between 2019 and 2025, 16 children under age 11 died falling from windows or balconies. Nine out of 16 (56%) deaths occurred in social housing and one in temporary accommodation.
Reviews found that families had reported broken windows which had not been fixed quickly enough. Awaab’s Law doesn’t go far enough to consider and acknowledge acute risks to children.
children died as a result of falling from windows or balconies between 2019 and 2025, of which 56% occurred in social housing
The Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
In 2023, 13% of children in England lived in non-decent housing where hazards were present; there was an unreasonable state of repair, facilities or services; or there was a degree of thermal discomfort.
The new DHS now in force aims to identify poor quality housing, which will help to reduce housing-related risks to children and increase access to comfortable housing. The DHS is a positive step towards enhancing child wellbeing and development.
of children in England lived in non-decent housing in 2023
The Renters’ Rights Act
There are 1.6 million households with dependent children living in privately rented accommodation. The Renters Rights Act aims to protect tenants from the risk of homelessness through ending no-fault evictions and limiting rental price increases.
Crucially for children, it will be illegal for landlords to discriminate against prospective tenants who have children. As such, the Renters’ Rights Act should help to improve access to secure housing options, providing better stability for families and better educational attainment opportunities.
Effective landlord accountability will be crucial to the success of the Renters’ Rights Act. However, without a regulatory body for the private sector it is difficult to anticipate the true impact these reforms will have on educational and housing outcomes for children.
households with dependent children live in the private rented sector
Challenges
Recent Housing reform evidently marks progress in improving housing security and safety for children. The changes promise greater stability and healthier living conditions. Effective implementation is important to ensure positive change is experienced by children and families.
As previously mentioned, enforcement challenges in the private sector may limit landlord accountability. Additionally, local authorities are under increasing financial pressure. According to the Institute for Government, one in six upper-tier local authorities have relied on emergency funding in 2025/26. There is reasonable concern that enforcing housing reforms will not be possible.
Although the Renters’ Rights Act seeks to reduce discrimination, there are no explicit protective measures in recent reforms for minority communities, who are more likely to be homeless and experience reduced access to social housing. After the death of Awaab Ishak, his father shared his repeated dismissal because of his Sudanese background. Structural racism remains an issue impacting housing outcomes for people and children of colour and it needs to be prioritised in future housing reform measures.
More to be done
While recent housing reforms go some way, enforcement challenges, and resource constraints mean many children will continue to face insecurity and harm in the UK’s housing system. Structural issues must be addressed to ensure every child has a safe and stable home.
“Structural racism remains an issue impacting housing outcomes for people and children of colour and it needs to be prioritised in future housing reform measures.”
