At TIAA , we work alongside housing providers to strengthen assurance, governance and risk management. We were pleased to contribute to Drova’s Housing Association Outlook Report 2026, which brings together expert perspectives from across the sector.

What’s shaping the housing sector in the year ahead

Many organisations are balancing a familiar ‘trilemma’: building safety, sustainability and resident affordability. Resources are finite, and priorities shift as conditions change. The Outlook Report reflects this reality and encourages practical steps that help leaders make informed choices with the evidence available.
From her experience supporting housing providers on assurance and risk, our own Director of Housing Angela Ward shared measured insights in the report:

  • Integrate, don’t isolate. Sustainability, safety and financial resilience are easier to manage when considered together within the business plan rather than as separate workstreams. Framing them in one place helps keep attention on resident outcomes while maintaining confidence with regulators and lenders.
  • Make scenarios routine. Light-touch scenario analysis—testing how plans hold up under different cost, revenue or timing pressures—can support more confident decision-making. It doesn’t need to be complex to be useful; simple, regular tests can surface trade-offs early.
  • Plan for joined-up outcomes. Expect closer integration of housing, health and climate agendas. Building these connections into plans—supported by practical partnerships, funding models and governance—helps decisions reflect value beyond bricks and mortar.
How this can help in practice
  • Planning: Bring assurance and risk insight into early-stage planning and considerhousing, health, climate and finance together. This surfaces constraints sooner andreduces surprises later.
  • Prioritisation: Use light-touch scenario testing to see which options stay resilient if costs rise or income falls, linking choices back to resident outcomes and financial strength.
  • Governance: Keep roles, documentation and follow-up actions clear so accountability is strong without adding unnecessary process—supporting consistent, integrated decision-making.

Read the full report here – Housing Association Outlook Report 2026 | Drova