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Housing associations’ role in supporting communities is more vital than ever

In these challenging times for local authorities and the NHS, the wider social value that housing associations deliver to society has never been more important, writes Geeta Nanda

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Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
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As public funding cuts bite, associations’ role in helping communities has never been more important, writes @geeta_nanda #ukhousing

“We are in it for the long term,” writes @geeta_nanda in IH50 today #ukhousing

Northamptonshire County Council recently issued what’s called a section 114 notice, which limits the council’s spending “in light of the severe financial challenge facing the authority and the significant risk that it will not be in a position to deliver a balanced budget by the end of the year”. It is believed this is the first such notice by a local authority in more than 20 years.

In December the Local Government Association stated that “years of unprecedented central government funding cuts have left many councils beyond the point where council tax income can be expected to plug the growing funding gaps they face”.

We know that when public services are under strain, the continuity, stability and support that housing associations offer to the communities they serve are especially important.

In many of the communities in which we work there are high levels of deprivation – with people facing barriers such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, a lack of qualifications and training, and diminished community and personal resilience.

“Increasingly, we are partnering with local authorities and NHS trusts to fill in the gaps.”

These barriers limit people’s capacity to realise their aspirations.

We have a strong tradition fostering cohesion in the communities in which we work – providing affordable housing, care and support services, and access to jobs and training.

We know there are huge benefits to providing these types of opportunities.

There are numerous studies that identify a link between personal well-being and successful societies – successful in terms of more sustainable economies, higher levels of good health, lower crime rates, and much more besides.

That’s why, increasingly, we are partnering with local authorities and NHS trusts to fill in the gaps and often act as a vital link between local people and local services.

At Metropolitan, this includes everything from helping people returning home from hospital in Waltham Forest in London, to stepping in to support new migrant communities in Derby.

Metropolitan was originally established to find a housing solution for those that couldn’t afford a property to rent or buy on the open market – solving a real problem faced in the 1950s by many of the communities we now serve.


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Our organisation was founded as the Metropolitan Coloured People’s Housing Association, which worked to house the Windrush Generation who came to work in England when locals were not filling the many jobs on offer.

Our roots lie in Lambeth, south London and during the Brixton riots, housing was an anchor for the local community.

“The Grenfell disaster last year has, in many ways, asked us all to review our role in local communities.”

The day after the riots, housing officers were there on the ground. Housing offices were a refuge for local people, both black and white, many who asked: what next?

Out of the chaos, housing associations were part of the solution of building a better London, where local communities would live together and thrive.

Through that time, we rebuilt local housing, we listened to communities and we worked with people on local solutions to some of the problems they faced. We were trusted because we understood their needs.

The Grenfell disaster last year has, in many ways, asked us all to review our role in local communities and focus on the importance of building and maintaining trust with our residents – not only keeping them safe in their homes, but also understanding their lives, their aspirations and the challenges they face.

We have a real opportunity to continue to be the organisations to which communities turn for help building places where local people want to live.

As housing associations, we are committed to providing affordable homes and investing in strong, vibrant communities.

We are in it for the long term, and we can be real catalysts for positive change for the local communities we serve – especially in tough times.

Geeta Nanda, chief executive, Metropolitan

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