Overview
This See Media Briefing is brought to you by Sarah Thomas
Sarah is a Senior Director at See Media, known for her innovative and creative approach to campaigns and specialism in crisis communications. She is passionate about transparency and honesty in comms, as well as ensuring her clients not only stand out but also achieve measurable results.
Executive summary
The May 2026 local and devolved elections will take place in an unusually fragmented and volatile political landscape, with significant implications for housing associations operating in England, Scotland or Wales.
Across most regions, single party dominance is weakening, with increases in:
- No Overall Control councils
- Minority administrations
- Coalition leadership involving Liberal Democrats, Greens and independents
- Pressure from smaller and insurgent parties in marginal wards
At the same time, housing remains a front rank local campaign issue – particularly around homelessness, repairs, affordability, development and safety. This combination significantly raises the risk of housing associations being drawn into political debate unintentionally, especially through local media, social channels or candidate campaigning.
This briefing sets out:
- How political power and influence varies by region
- What that means for housing associations in each area
- How to communicate safely and consistently during the pre-election period
- Practical steps to protect organisational neutrality and reputation
