Newsletter Issue 6
Page 3
previous page
next page
Page 3
Social Housing is currently high up on the Government's agenda and recently two very important reviews have been carried out which will kick-start the debate about how Housing Associations have to adapt to meet future housing need and who should regulate them.
John Hills' Review
Professor John Hills published his report on what role social housing can play in twenty-first century housing policy on 20 February 2007. In his report he suggested that more urgent debate was required to find the most effective ways in which policy could better achieve the underlying objectives of social housing and of housing policy more generally. Professor Hills poses four fundamental questions:
What role can Social Housing play in the 21st century?
How can we create genuinely mixed communities?
How can we encourage social mobility and opportunities?
Can we respond to changing needs and enable greater geographical mobility?
John Hills' key findings are:
Tenants have higher levels of dissatisfaction
50% of social housing is in the most deprived fifth of neighbourhoods
Lack of job-related mobility
50% of social housing inactive
41% disabled people live in social housing
Where to next - what are the options for change?
Increased attention to existing stock & tenants
More quality management - get the basics right
More voice power options for tenants - go the extra mile/give choice
More ability to move
Mixed income communities
Open up more options for existing tenants
Supporting Mixed Incomes within existing communities
Use Choice Based Lettings to assist with this
Diversify stock
Retain high income tenants
Improve income and employment opportunities
What are the implications for Pennine Housing?
How can Pennine encourage mixed income communities and improve income levels?
Are Pennine getting the basics right for tenants?
How can Pennine use its existing stock more creatively?
How can Pennine improve job support & opportunities for tenants?
What alternative products can Pennine develop?
This independent review was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and led by Professor Martin Cave, Director of the Centre for Management under Regulation at Warwick University.
The review was asked to look at how the regulatory system for social housing could be reformed to better support tenants and drive up standards of housing provision, reduce burdens on social housing providers and to reflect current and future Government priorities. It considered the range of options available for the regulation of social housing activities.
The review has only just been published so its too early to go into too much detail but some of the recommendations are:
New Independent social housing regulator to be established
Single Housing Ombudsman
National Tenants Voice - within the National Consumer Council
Improve choice for tenants
Range of Intervention & Enforcement actions
If anyone wants a copy of either of the above reviews they should contact Val Morris, tel. 01422 284517.
