Councils and housing associations need to develop a closer working relationship to meet housing need, new research has warned.

The best practice guide from the Chartered Institute of Housing explores the tensions between the two sides and recommends they partner more closely in a number of areas.

This includes working together to develop a Local Housing Affordability Framework (LHAF), jointly-funding systems to manage allocations and lettings, and jointly collecting data on street homelessness.

Terrie Alafat, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: ‘Building Bridges showcases some great examples of local authorities and housing associations working extremely closely to make sure people in their communities get access to a decent, affordable home.

‘Unfortunately this is not a consistent picture and we desperately need to maximise the potential in this relationship if we are going to tackle the housing crisis.

‘It is true that much of the tension between councils and housing associations has its origins in government policy, and in the guide we have made a series of recommendations on how government could act on this.’

Building Bridges also calls on the Government to ensure welfare reforms align with housing policy on affordability, make it easier for councils to dispose of land and build more homes that are genuinely affordable to those on low incomes.