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Let’s not repeat the mistakes that led to Grenfell
We can only prevent another tragedy like Grenfell with a co-ordinated, cross-industry approach, says Terrie Alafat
It’s no exaggeration to say that this is a defining time for the housing sector.
We went into Housing 2017, the CIH conference and exhibition in Manchester, just two weeks after the awful events at Grenfell Tower.
This is the most horrendous event I can remember in my many years in housing. And the terrible tragedy and its implications were understandably the focal point of the conference.
But one thing that was very clear was the extent to which the sadness and reflection was matched with an utter determination to move forward. And that is what we have to do – there is no alternative.
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Grenfell has created renewed focus: focus from the public and the media on our work; focus on a chronic lack of social housing; and, above all, focus on making sure nothing like this ever happens again.
We owe it to the victims of this tragedy, and everyone affected by it, to use that as a force for good.
Never again – the two simple words used by Inside Housing in a campaign we fully support – sums it up perfectly.
But in fact, the relevance of those words stretch well beyond Grenfell.
The reason this must never happen again is fundamentally because everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home. Everyone should be able to close their front door and know that they are protected.
“We owe it to the victims of this tragedy, and everyone affected by it, to use [Grenfell] as a force for good.”
At the Chartered Institute of Housing we are very clear that our role is to support housing professionals and organisations across the sector.
Following the Lakanal House fire in 2009, there was a clear set of recommendations and good practice advice that we know still holds true – relating to fire safety messages, communication with residents and good housing management practice.
However, there are bound to be further lessons to be learned as the evidence continues to emerge from the specialist government task force and the public inquiry. So we’ll be working with the government and the sector to learn from any systemic failures and support the industry in doing what needs to be done immediately and in future regarding fire safety and wider housing management.
As housing professionals we are all having to absorb a huge amount of information and guidance which continues to emerge on a daily basis.
When you start looking at what might have caused this awful tragedy, and what we need to do as a result, it is clear it is about more than just cladding – we need to make sure we look at all of the possible reasons and that we understand the implications of the immediate actions we take.
We will also be working with colleagues across the housing industry to put together a co-ordinated response to the public inquiry (including the terms of reference).
We have already attended several meetings with the Department for Communities and Local Government with organisations from across the housing sector, and one thing has become very clear to me. We need a co-ordinated approach, a cross-industry taskforce which involves expert representatives from every part of housing and beyond.
Beyond the immediate action being taken, our response to Grenfell must be part of a renewed effort to rapidly improve the situation for everyone who needs a safe and secure place to call home.
For every person across the UK who fears for their safety in the wake of the tragedy, there are many, many more who cannot find a home in their community, who are battling to keep their home or sleeping on our streets every night.
“Our response to Grenfell must be part of a renewed effort to rapidly improve the situation for everyone who needs a safe and secure place to call home.”
At Housing 2017, I was struck by the comments of Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer’s chief political commentator.
He said: “That burnt-out hulk on the skyline of one of the world’s wealthiest cities is a rebuke to the whole country – we haven’t paid enough attention to social housing. My worry is that the remedial action will address the symptoms of the problem but we won’t get down to the root causes.
“We need to do more than fix the safety problem, huge though that is; we need to talk more widely about social housing.”
I couldn’t agree more. As another of our speakers, Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff, said, if this kind of event doesn’t change things, what will?
As housing professionals, we passionately believe in the power of good housing, and of the vital importance of everyone having a decent, affordable place to call home. Now it’s time for a UK-wide conversation about the value of social housing.
Terrie Alafat, chief executive, Chartered Institute of Housing
