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Our sector is a force for good, we must shout more loudly

As the housing crisis debate intensifies, is the sector doing enough to tell its positive story? Fayann Simpson argues landlords could be doing more to prove their worth to society

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Our sector is a force for good, we must shout more loudly says @LQHomesMatter resident board member Fayann Simpson #ukhousing

“There’s a great deal of collaboration and sharing of best practice within the sector and beyond, but we can do so much more,” says @LQHomesMatter resident board member Fayann Simpson #ukhousing

“We should plant ourselves firmly at the centre of solving big problems,” says @LQHomesMatter resident board member Fayann Simpson #ukhousing

A challenge to overcome at the start, a will they/won’t they middle and, for many, a happy ending.

That is the reality of housing providers’ work with their residents. If it were a novel, it would be a bestseller.

But as a sector, are we doing enough to share our story about the value we bring? Is our book languishing on the shelf?

Housing has never been about just handing over a set of keys. It’s also about having a positive impact on residents’ lives and on the communities we serve.

We must do more to tell our story – to our residents, to our communities and to political leaders. It’s a story they should hear.

As an L&Q board member, I regularly go out to meet both residents and officers on the ground to see first hand what L&Q does and the impact we are having. On a recent visit I spent some time with the team in the L&Q Foundation – our community investment arm – and came away inspired.

I went along to see for myself the work they do. I met the team to discuss the help they give, such as employment support, apprenticeships and tenancy sustainment.


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My day started with accompanying an officer as he went out on a tenancy sustainment visit.

What struck me was how he worked with the resident to improve things in a way that really fitted the resident’s needs. The officer talked to me about this and about the other kinds of things he has helped residents with.

His commitment was clear to see.

We visited a resident who recently had a stroke but was, fortunately, now on the path to recovery.

With the officer’s support it was possible to progress several issues for him, including checking benefits appointments, organising an occupational health appointment with the council and arranging some necessary repairs.

While we were there, we touched on the issue of returning to work.

Although the resident was still in recovery, he was itching to get back to work. He was worried that sources of work he relied on were drying up. When the officer said that L&Q could help with this, the resident said something that has stuck with me, “hearing that has made my day”.

He had no idea L&Q could help him find work. Yet, we helped more than 600 people into work last year – he just didn’t know about it. Our story didn’t get to him.

Another highlight of the day was meeting two apprentices who were gaining experience within L&Q. They were slightly nervous but need not have been as they both gave great presentations.

They told me clearly and eloquently just what the opportunity meant to them.

What I saw were two assured, enthusiastic and accomplished young women who were making the most of their apprenticeships. They are already having a beneficial impact within the organisation.

They made me hopeful about the future success of L&Q – and of the sector.

I came away from the visit enthused, but wondering whether housing providers are doing enough to share the valuable work they do with the residents and communities they serve.

As a sector, we are a real force for good. We address the big issues that affect our country – from the housing crisis to homelessness to economic uncertainty.

“We should plant ourselves firmly at the centre of solving big problems”

At the recent National Housing Federation Board Members’ Conference, I met board members from a wide range of housing associations, both small and large. Each association was doing innovative work, regardless of its size.

Although there is a great deal of collaboration and sharing of best practice within the sector and beyond, we can do so much more.

The housing sector is under the spotlight more than ever, so it is important that we continue to deliver quality homes and services while investing in our communities.

But we must tell our story even more clearly and even more loudly.

There are continued uncertainties in the wider landscape. As a sector, we should plant ourselves firmly at the centre of solving big problems and setting the narrative of how we do that.

I’m glad to be a part of that, and I’m ready to help tell our story far and wide. Are you?

Fayann Simpson, resident board member, L&Q

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