Whoever wins in June, politicians will have to trust housing associations

Just as we draw breath following the election of Donald Trump and before that the Brexit referendum, the whistle blows again and we can look forward to one more month of political campaigning.

But what about after the general election? What happens then?

“Every second of parliamentary time will be consumed with new legislation and trade agreements.”

The worry is that, regardless of who forms the next government in June, they won’t have time for anything other than Brexit for the next few years. Every second of parliamentary time will be consumed with new legislation and trade agreements. And at a time when the housing association balance sheet needs to be unleashed, we could be lost in a mountain of red tape.

For the last few months we have been circling the same old stuff – rent flexibility or certainty? Those who make the decision will wonder if we can be trusted with either. How can they set housing associations free and control us at the same time? And what about the benefit bill?

Come June, the government will need to take one mighty leap of faith and place its trust in housing associations. The vast majority of us are charities and we are regulated. So long as we remain both, the government should have the confidence to let a new affordable housing market emerge.

“Housing associations have a proven track record of stepping up and delivering much-needed homes, across a range of tenures.”

Housing associations have a proven track record of stepping up and delivering much-needed homes, across a range of tenures. Any future government can trust us to continue this work.

If we don’t maximise our balance sheet potential and develop new homes and if we let our customers down, that should be a matter for our regulator. If we get it wrong, the consequences should be harsh.

And if the government is concerned about the benefit bill, it should allow housing providers the freedom to build many more sub-market rented homes, take people out of private rent and support them into work.

Whatever the outcome in June, housing associations can make a compelling post-Brexit offer. Work with us and we will invest – in apprenticeships, jobs, new forms of construction, communities, economic growth and homes. Whatever happens next, don’t leave us in the ‘too difficult’ tray. Back us and we will back Britain.

David Montague, chief executive, L&Q