Jobs zone - north east England

The north east’s housing providers are expanding their existing housing stock - which makes the region full of promise for social housing professionals.

This ongoing expansion is creating demand for development and design staff, and is likely to continue to generate new roles for social housing professionals over the coming years. This is particularly so for management and frontline staff.

Salaries are rising steadily within the region as shortages of specialist skills continue. For example, housing development managers can
now earn £35,000 to £50,000, whereas 12 months ago they would have typically earned £30,000 to £40,000.

Housing providers are attracting candidates using methods typical of the private sector - such as increasingly offering strong remuneration packages with benefits including company cars and child care schemes.

There is also demand for homelessness officers and benefits officers thanks to a distinct shortfall within the region.

The national economic picture has fuelled demand for these roles as more people face serious problems such as redundancy, reduced salaries and long-term unemployment.

Professionals with an in-depth knowledge of the Homelessness Act, solid experience of looking for suitable accommodation and working with homeless people can earn anywhere from £22,000 and £30,000, depending on experience.

Social landlords have a responsibility to assist tenants to retain their homes, and housing providers in the north east are fully committed to doing this. The ethos of putting the tenant first has never been so prevalent.

The north east is also experiencing a shortage of housing graduates following a decline in the level of interest in social housing degrees over the past few years. However, as the region’s stock grows so too does the need to expand the workforce, and graduates are increasingly required to fill some of the talent gaps. Graduates will typically earn £16,000 to £18,000.

Other shortages across the north east include benefits assessors, housing development managers and professionals with exceptional customer service skills.

It is likely that housing associations across the region will expand and diversify their services with new products.

If these plans come to fruition, there will inevitably be further recruitment in the region, which could create more opportunities for social housing professionals.

Mark Flannery is a manager at Hays Social Housing

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