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The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has lowered its financial viability grading for 19 housing associations, including some of the biggest in the UK because of worsening economic conditions.

The RSH today published 27 regulatory judgements, of which 19 have been lowered from the top score of V1 to V2.

V2 means an organisation still complies with the regulatory standard but 鈥渘eeds to manage material risks to ensure continued compliance鈥�.

Among the 19 organisations downgraded are some of the biggest housing association developers in the country, including Clarion, Home Group, L&Q, Places for People, Sovereign and Together.

An RSH spokesperson said the results 鈥渞eflect challenging conditions across the economy鈥�.

He added: 鈥淗igher inflation and borrowing costs, as well as a weakening housing market, are putting greater pressure on providers鈥� financial headroom as they continue to invest in new homes and carry out safety, decarbonisation and repair works.鈥�

Two further providers, Wandle and Hyde, also remain at V2.

The action from RSH will raise further concerns about the prospects of housing associations having the financial capacity to be able to step up and develop in the event of a recession.

Responding to his organisation鈥檚 downgrade, Mark Washer, chief executive of Sovereign, said the downgrading of so many providers 鈥渟hows this is not about us in particular but about our sector in general鈥�.

He said: 鈥淐learly the economic environment is affecting the entire housing sector. Any organisation with ambitious plans to improve business efficiencies and increase development of new housing must take into account the economic context. Higher inflation, higher interest rates, labour shortages and the prospect of a recession are the reality we must contend with.鈥�

>>See also: Can housing associations again keep development going as the rest of the market slows?

Waqar Ahmed, finance director at L&Q, said the RSH judgement 鈥渨as as expected鈥� and added: 鈥淲e are actively monitoring, managing and mitigating the wider challenges in our operating environment and are confident that our good governance and financial strength will enable us to continue delivering our corporate objectives.

鈥淎s the regulator notes in their judgement, we have an adequately funded business plan, with sufficient asset security and liquidity, and we are forecast to continue meeting our financial covenants.鈥�

Concerns have been raised in recent months about the impact of inflation and increased borrowing costs on the balance sheets of housing associations, who are also facing a potential rent cut as well as fire safety, stock improvement and decarbonisation costs for some.

Jonathan Walters, deputy chief executive of RSH, said: 鈥淭he results of our first round of stability checks reflect the significant economic challenges facing the sector.

鈥淎gainst this backdrop, we have seen a substantial number of providers moving to V2 grades. These providers continue to comply with our financial viability standard and the sector remains in a strong financial position overall.鈥�