Public v private sector housing
According to the UK government's Definitions of general housing terms, where the term ‘private sector’ is used in relation to housing policy, it generally refers to the private housing sector, or the non-social housing sector. That is, owner-occupied dwellings and those that are rented privately, including those that are provided with a job or business.
It does not include those owned by housing associations or public sector local authority dwellings.
However, government accounting published by the Office for National Statistics, treats housing associations as private sector even though they provide social housing.
In housing data, housing associations are generally separated out to identify the extent of social housing.
For house building starts and completions data, there is a possibility that some dwellings built for housing associations could be counted as private enterprise and vice versa. This is because the builders themselves may not be sure of the precise ownership or the ownership may keep evolving and is not final until it is sold.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”