A national survey of over 2,000 private tenants in England by the TDS Charitable Foundation found that three in 10 would prefer to live in social housing. This figure is up from 21% recorded a year earlier.
The preference for social housing is particularly high among certain groups. Almost half, or 47%, of tenants aged 65 or over expressed this preference, as did 46% of tenants receiving benefits. Additionally, 39% of households with children and 35% of tenants with a long-term health condition also preferred social housing.
The survey also revealed that 51% of respondents wished to leave their current property but felt unable to do so. Furthermore, 47% reported struggling to find a suitable home during their last property search.
Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy at The Dispute Service (TDS) Group, noted that the private rented sector now accommodates a wider range of households, many of whom expect to rent long-term. She highlighted the lack of choice many renters feel they have and called for a significant housebuilding programme across all housing types.