Welcome to the new ‘business as usual’

Comment27.03.20by Martin Hilditch

Social landlords are operating in a tough new environment which is becoming the new normal. It’s crucial that everyone makes the right choices as the coronavirus pandemic dominates decisions, writes Martin Hilditch

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This is what ‘business as usual’ will look like in the housing sector for the foreseeable future #ukhousing

In a week characterised by disruption and uncertainty, it’s disconcerting to think that we’re actually witnessing what ‘business as usual’ will look like in the housing sector for the foreseeable future.

While we’re not in Kansas anymore, it has been pleasing to see housing providers move quickly to set some parameters for the new world and quickly coalesce around a set of agreed principles that will guide their actions. Most pleasing of all is that resident welfare is at the heart of those priorities. It’s certainly difficult to disagree with the four priorities for housing associations outlined by the National Housing Federation this week: keeping residents safe, protecting residents’ incomes and livelihoods, sustaining critical services, and supporting communities and recovery.

If providers deliver on these goals, they won’t have gone far wrong – and it is particularly pleasing to see associations commit to not evicting anyone for rent arrears acquired as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The government might have effectively put evictions on hold with its emergency legislation – but it’s vital that this doesn’t simply lead to a glut in three months’ time.

Nonetheless, there are also areas of concern that need addressing. Many housing associations have moved back to delivering only essential repairs. But as a briefing published by Campbell Tickell suggests, some local contractors have already laid off staff. This may affect their ability to carry out even those urgent repairs – and it will make it much more difficult to deliver services when restrictions on movement are relaxed.

Unsurprisingly, given the struggles within the frontline health service to access equipment, the ability of repairs staff to access basic protective gear has also been an issue. This will impact the capability of providers to run important services safely and effectively, and it needs to be prioritised nationally.

We will also be closely scrutinising the provision of temporary accommodation, following the news this week that Travelodge turfed out a number of homeless families onto the streets. As Jo Underwood, managing solicitor of the strategic litigation team at Shelter, tweeted this week “this is going to be awful”. We are staring at a major crisis for local authorities, particularly if other providers follow suit (and it certainly exposes the shortfalls in a system when the government’s stated aim is to prevent evictions).

Please get in touch if there are other issues you’d like us to look into in the weeks ahead. We only have one chance to get this right. Let’s work together to make sure we do.

Martin Hilditch, editor, Inside Housing