Independent panel set up to tackle poor-quality homes

The National Housing Federation (NHF) and Chartered Institute for Housing (CIH), leading social housing organisations, will set up an independent panel to make urgent recommendations for tackling poor quality housing in the sector.

The investigation from ITV News and campaigning online from people like Kwajo Tweneboa, has shown examples of people living in unacceptable conditions in social housing.

Housing associations are committed to taking swift and decisive action to fix homes with major quality issues and to start to tackle the root causes of these problems.

The NHF and CIH will bring together a small group of people with expertise and lived experience of social housing to guide the sector on this vital journey.

The panel, led by Helen Baker, will meet over the summer with residents, community leaders, frontline staff and other partners to understand more about these problems and develop actions housing associations can take to improve so that residents always receive the high-quality services they deserve.

They will also look at any other issues which are putting pressure on the social housing system and could be aggravating issues with quality, such as overcrowding.

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, says:

“Everyone should expect a safe, secure, good quality and affordable home.

“Housing associations play a vital role in every community in the country providing essential social housing. 

“We know most people have a good experience in their housing association home, but we have clearly seen that this has not been the case for every housing association resident and that is simply not acceptable.

“The sector wants to learn how these problems have happened and what action they can take to do better.

“I look forward to reading the panel’s recommendations later in the year and working with colleagues across the sector to take the action that’s needed to make sure every housing association resident can trust that they will live in a secure, good-quality home”

Gavin Smart, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, says:

“All tenants of social housing should be able to live in a good quality, well-managed home and be treated with dignity and respect. Where this is not the case, we must put that right.

“I welcome the insight an independent panel will bring, taking time to engage with residents, communities, partners, and staff to understand where improvements are needed, and to make recommendations to the sector that will fix what is wrong and develop greater trust between landlords and tenants.

“As the professional body for housing, we look forward to supporting the sector to progress the recommendations provided to deliver the right mix of knowledge and skills, behaviours, and values to ensure a quality home and service for all.”