Words matter — especially when we talk about people’s homes and communities. 

That’s why Stop Social Housing Stigma, a tenant-led campaign, is asking an important question: Does some of the language used in the social housing sector still reflect the people who live in these homes today? 

You may have heard terms like “Housing stock”, “Disposals”, “Void”, or “Assets”. While these words are commonly used across the sector, not everyone feels they are clear. Some can sound technical or impersonal, especially if English is not your first language or if you are unfamiliar with housing terminology. 

The campaign wants to better understand how people feel about the language used in social housing and whether it supports the idea that social housing is, first and foremost, about people living in homes and communities. 

Their work aims to: 

• encourage conversations about the language used in the sector, 
• promote a culture of “home” rather than technical jargon,  
• understand which words residents and tenants prefer,  
• help create clearer and more respectful language across housing organisations,  
• share recommendations with Government and the wider housing sector.  

They have also published a paper explaining some of the words and phrases they are reviewing, and why they are reconsidering them. 

You can read the paper here: Language used in the social housing sector  

Share your thoughts 

Stop Social Housing Stigma would like to hear from tenants, residents and staff working in social housing. 

You can get involved by: 

• Completing their resident survey. The Tenant & Resident Survey is available here and open until 25 September. 

• joining one of their online consultation and discussion sessions. You can find more information, including survey and consultation details, on the official website. 
   

Taking part is a simple way to help shape how housing organisations communicate in the future — making information clearer, more welcoming and easier for everyone to understand.