18 May 2026
Housing professionals across England are being encouraged to take part in a new survey exploring the impact of local government reorganisation (LGR) on housing services, governance and local delivery.
With the Government moving ahead with plans to replace remaining two-tier council structures with larger unitary authorities, significant changes are expected across many parts of England. Reorganisation has already been confirmed in Essex, Hampshire, Surrey, Norfolk and Suffolk, with further announcements anticipated later this year.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has launched the survey to better understand the concerns, challenges and opportunities facing housing professionals as these changes progress.
While the survey has been developed by CIH, participation is open more widely to housing professionals working across local government and the housing sector including officers involved in housing strategy, homelessness, planning, regeneration, development, housing management and related services.
The findings will help inform discussions with policymakers, government departments and sector bodies including Homes England and the Regulator of Social Housing. CIH says anonymised insights may also be used to shape future guidance, support and sector resources linked to reorganisation and devolution.
For rural authorities and communities, local government reorganisation could have important implications for housing delivery, local accountability and the ability to respond to place-based challenges such as affordability, rural homelessness, planning pressures and access to services.
As proposals continue to develop, the survey provides an opportunity for housing professionals to help ensure practical frontline experience and local perspectives are reflected in national conversations.
Professionals wishing to contribute can complete the survey and find further information via the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
