#IHchat: the best bits from our Q&A marathon for Housing Day
Inside Housing hosted 10 Q&As on Twitter with 31 panellists over 10 hours. Below we recap the debate
Scroll down for the highlights of our #IHChat Q&A marathon for #HousingDay18
#IHchat: a recap of our 10-hour Twitter chatathon
#IHchat started with organiser Leslie Channon introducing Housing Day and explaining why the focus this year was on The Tenant Voice:
Hi Jon, one of the reasons when @AdeCapon approached me I wanted it to be about the #tenantvoice not landlords telling us what their tenants think but actually hearing from tenants themselves. It has been a challenge but I think it is important #IHchat #housingday t.co/JSPeP1AbBw
— Leslie Channon MA (@LeslieChannon)Hi Jon, one of the reasons when @AdeCapon approached me I wanted it to be about the #tenantvoice not landlords telling us what their tenants think but actually hearing from tenants themselves. It has been a challenge but I think it is important #IHchat #housingday https://t.co/JSPeP1AbBw
— Leslie Channon MA (@LeslieChannon) October 10, 2018
Leslie also said she thinks associations should do more on tenant engagement and that she is in favour of tenants on boards:
Unfortunately many have taken their eyes off of the involvement and empowerment standard and have focused on what gets measured. True consultation is not about just asking questions but caring about what the answers are.#IHchat #HousingDay18 t.co/DGUxulFq6f
— Leslie Channon MA (@LeslieChannon)Unfortunately many have taken their eyes off of the involvement and empowerment standard and have focused on what gets measured. True consultation is not about just asking questions but caring about what the answers are.#IHchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/DGUxulFq6f
— Leslie Channon MA (@LeslieChannon) October 10, 2018
I fundamentally disagree! Tenants need to be on Boards and be given adequate training. If the excuse is there are no qualified tenants-you're not looking hard enough. #IHchat #HousingDay18 t.co/h2TM7Lweip
— Leslie Channon MA (@LeslieChannon)I fundamentally disagree! Tenants need to be on Boards and be given adequate training. If the excuse is there are no qualified tenants-you're not looking hard enough. #IHchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/h2TM7Lweip
— Leslie Channon MA (@LeslieChannon) October 10, 2018
Having introduced the day, the #IHchat moved on to looking at how we strengthen the tenant voice:
Louise Thompson of Tpas made the case for changes to regulation to ensure compliants about safety are dealt with:
This has to be part of a wider overhaul of the regulator/complaints framework where concerns around safety trigger immediate action #IHChat #HousingDay18 t.co/Jnp0etU1AR
— Louise Thompson (@tpasLouise)This has to be part of a wider overhaul of the regulator/complaints framework where concerns around safety trigger immediate action #IHChat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/Jnp0etU1AR
— Louise Thompson (@tpasLouise) October 10, 2018
Nic Bliss, head of policy at the confederation of co-operative housing, argued for mutuals:
#ihchat #HousingDay18 @insidehousing I agree with Catherine. Tenants should be enabled to be the members of landlord - and own them through mutuals. If done right - this can create the culture where the landlord considers themselves accountable. t.co/yz9tkgyUXJ
— Nic Bliss (@nicblisscch)#ihchat #HousingDay18 @insidehousing I agree with Catherine. Tenants should be enabled to be the members of landlord - and own them through mutuals. If done right - this can create the culture where the landlord considers themselves accountable. https://t.co/yz9tkgyUXJ
— Nic Bliss (@nicblisscch) October 10, 2018
Terrie Alafat, chief executive of the Chartrered Institute of Housing, suggested there are differences in levels of tenant engagement among providers:
There are housing providers who really get this and want to do better. We need to get this happening everywhere. #ihchat
— Terrie Alafat CBE (@TerrieAlafatCIH)There are housing providers who really get this and want to do better. We need to get this happening everywhere. #ihchat
— Terrie Alafat CBE (@TerrieAlafatCIH) October 10, 2018
While Catherine Little used an image to get her point across:
It's got to be culture as well as structure / strategy. #ihchat #housingday18 pic.twitter.com/1RV7DtWQb2
— Catherine Little (@Catherine_BHG)It's got to be culture as well as structure / strategy. #ihchat #housingday18 pic.twitter.com/1RV7DtWQb2
— Catherine Little (@Catherine_BHG) October 10, 2018
In a Q&A on the challenge for councils, the passion of Lord Gary Porter, chair of the Local Government Association, for lifting the council borrowing cap shone through
Yes yes yes, councils of all political colours are keen to help fix the housing crisis, this is the single biggest change the Government could make. We all need to get HMT to let us do it NOW t.co/2Sek3Cg3aM
— Gary Porter (@garyporterlga)Yes yes yes, councils of all political colours are keen to help fix the housing crisis, this is the single biggest change the Government could make. We all need to get HMT to let us do it NOW https://t.co/2Sek3Cg3aM
— Gary Porter (@garyporterlga) October 10, 2018
He also outlined what further changes need to be made:
HMT set out the rules for us to do it, sorry not rules, just rule prudential code is all we need. Next steps are, local discount rate on RTB and 100% retention of receipt. No need for grant funding or any other financial stimulus, just freedom that’s all. #ihchat #HousingDay18 t.co/03ORoAICLr
— Gary Porter (@garyporterlga)HMT set out the rules for us to do it, sorry not rules, just rule prudential code is all we need. Next steps are, local discount rate on RTB and 100% retention of receipt. No need for grant funding or any other financial stimulus, just freedom that’s all. #ihchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/03ORoAICLr
— Gary Porter (@garyporterlga) October 10, 2018
Joanne Roney, chief executive of Manchester City Council, meanwhile, called for changes to Right to Buy:
We need to find a modern RTB approach that avoids losing significant stock each year and a streamlined route to grant funding for new council home building
— Joanne Roney OBE (@joanneroney)We need to find a modern RTB approach that avoids losing significant stock each year and a streamlined route to grant funding for new council home building
— Joanne Roney OBE (@joanneroney) October 10, 2018
At 11am our session on improving services for residents began and Nick Atkin, chief executive of Halton Housing Trust, answered a question on whether resident scrutiny groups are a good way of ensuring residents get the services they want:
Yes as long as……. 1. They have a direct reporting line to Board 2. They determine services areas to be reviewed 3. They’re provided with training & resources they need to perform their role effectively 4. They're representative of the wider customer base #IHChat #HousingDay18 t.co/q3yiLirByf
— Nick Atkin (@nickatkin_hh)Yes as long as……. 1. They have a direct reporting line to Board 2. They determine services areas to be reviewed 3. They’re provided with training & resources they need to perform their role effectively 4. They're representative of the wider customer base #IHChat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/q3yiLirByf
— Nick Atkin (@nickatkin_hh) October 10, 2018
Amy Nettleton, assistant development director, sales and marketing at Aster Group reminded the panel of the good work housing associations do:
We can’t lose sight that we do do a good job a lot of the time, a bloody good job at that!! Cc @NGoodrichHsg #IHChat #HousingDay18 @BorisJWorrall @insidehousing @nickatkin_hh t.co/nr4QS2f3Qp
— Amy Nettleton (@amynettleton1)We can’t lose sight that we do do a good job a lot of the time, a bloody good job at that!! Cc @NGoodrichHsg #IHChat #HousingDay18 @BorisJWorrall @insidehousing @nickatkin_hh https://t.co/nr4QS2f3Qp
— Amy Nettleton (@amynettleton1) October 10, 2018
Oliver Harling, a tenant himself and winner of the CIH/Inside Housing Rising Stars competition, had his view on resident scrutiny panels:
As long as the resident scrutiny groups are fair and diverse. I think they can represent residents well as long as they are considering every kind of resident there may be and their needs. #HousingDay18 #IHChat t.co/jvzDX3encZ
— Oliver Harling (@oliverharling_h)As long as the resident scrutiny groups are fair and diverse. I think they can represent residents well as long as they are considering every kind of resident there may be and their needs. #HousingDay18 #IHChat https://t.co/jvzDX3encZ
— Oliver Harling (@oliverharling_h) October 10, 2018
The panellists and others also debated the merits of using the terms 'residents' v 'customers' and 'tenants':
“Customer” isn’t necessarily wrong as we do provide a service - however I prefer the term tenants or residents as it’s so much more than just a service we provide. Putting a roof over peoples heads means so much more than the term “customer” in my opinion t.co/Vh3SROlvaB
— Oliver Harling (@oliverharling_h)“Customer” isn’t necessarily wrong as we do provide a service - however I prefer the term tenants or residents as it’s so much more than just a service we provide. Putting a roof over peoples heads means so much more than the term “customer” in my opinion https://t.co/Vh3SROlvaB
— Oliver Harling (@oliverharling_h) October 10, 2018
Boris Worrall, chief executive of Rooftop Housing Group, questioned whether associations were right to cut repairs spend following the rent cut:
Basically, yes. This is maybe a risky thing to say but personally making savings should not have focused on this. Sorry if I am wrong I’m probably missing the obvious ...#HousingDay18 #IHChat t.co/pVh9QW3DRS
— Boris Worrall (@BorisJWorrall)Basically, yes. This is maybe a risky thing to say but personally making savings should not have focused on this. Sorry if I am wrong I’m probably missing the obvious ...#HousingDay18 #IHChat https://t.co/pVh9QW3DRS
— Boris Worrall (@BorisJWorrall) October 10, 2018
In our noon session on inclusivity Tom Murtha, former housing association chief executive and campaigner, argued for cultural change, backed up by regulation to improve diversity in the sector:
There are many and we have known about most of them for over 40 years. We need to change the culture/make up of those who make appointments. That’s real issue. And there are some strong challenges to be made about people’s views on race and gender and more. #ihchat #housing18! t.co/sHXBXMl39O
— Tom Murtha (@tomemurtha)There are many and we have known about most of them for over 40 years. We need to change the culture/make up of those who make appointments. That’s real issue. And there are some strong challenges to be made about people’s views on race and gender and more. #ihchat #housing18! https://t.co/sHXBXMl39O
— Tom Murtha (@tomemurtha) October 10, 2018
Steve Douglas, co-chief executive of Altair, floated the idea of an Inclusivity Index for housing associations:
Am Inclusivity index similar to the Sector scorecard idea, owned by the Sector, developed by the Sector and responsive to community would be great first step. What gets measured gets done. But not as a token. Do it as positive accountability #ihchat #housingday18 t.co/NAzroIkD64
— Steve Douglas (@Steve_Altair)Am Inclusivity index similar to the Sector scorecard idea, owned by the Sector, developed by the Sector and responsive to community would be great first step. What gets measured gets done. But not as a token. Do it as positive accountability #ihchat #housingday18 https://t.co/NAzroIkD64
— Steve Douglas (@Steve_Altair) October 10, 2018
Elly Hoult, programme director of Notting Hill at Notting Hill Genesis argued for more to be done to attract younger people:
We are not adapting quick enough to meet young people’s expectations of the workplace. We could much more promoting our social purpose; it’s a key factor in career choices for millennials #housingday18 #ihchat t.co/qHTOh4wXsA
— Elly Hoult (@HoultElly)We are not adapting quick enough to meet young people’s expectations of the workplace. We could much more promoting our social purpose; it’s a key factor in career choices for millennials #housingday18 #ihchat https://t.co/qHTOh4wXsA
— Elly Hoult (@HoultElly) October 10, 2018
Our Q&A on combating stigma sparked much discussion about how we can get the press and politicians to change their ways and avoid stigmatising tenants:
Good question as it involves making sure that they are fully informed. Need local and national press to behave better and write repsonsibily. Locally - under resourced newspapers but invite key journalists to meet tenants and see what we do #IHchat #HousingDay18 @insidehousing t.co/P2K87Umzzl
— Michael Newey. FRICS FCIH (@MichaelNeweyBHG)Good question as it involves making sure that they are fully informed. Need local and national press to behave better and write repsonsibily. Locally - under resourced newspapers but invite key journalists to meet tenants and see what we do #IHchat #HousingDay18 @insidehousing https://t.co/P2K87Umzzl
— Michael Newey. FRICS FCIH (@MichaelNeweyBHG) October 10, 2018
We do need more robust challenges to fake news and inaccuracies such as the recent BBC story about sink estates. #IHchat #HousingDay18 t.co/nLXw7qRo1h
— Paul Taylor (@PaulBromford)We do need more robust challenges to fake news and inaccuracies such as the recent BBC story about sink estates. #IHchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/nLXw7qRo1h
— Paul Taylor (@PaulBromford) October 10, 2018
By sharing real life stories from tenants. The @2BenefitSociety was a great start but we need to get the media to share positive news, not just negative stories. How we do this, I'm not sure but would welcome suggestions #IHchat #HousingDay18 t.co/Y7PZrClpY6
— Victoria_Henley Resident (@victoria_dingle)By sharing real life stories from tenants. The @2BenefitSociety was a great start but we need to get the media to share positive news, not just negative stories. How we do this, I'm not sure but would welcome suggestions #IHchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/Y7PZrClpY6
— Victoria_Henley Resident (@victoria_dingle) October 10, 2018
Paul Taylor talked about the assumption that home ownership is the be all and end all as a major factor:
Spot on - this is EXACTLY what causes the stigma. Implying that you only have value once you're in debt to a bank for 30 years. We need to end the obsession with ownership as a route to happiness #IHchat #HousingDay18 t.co/v2u0omdElt
— Paul Taylor (@PaulBromford)Spot on - this is EXACTLY what causes the stigma. Implying that you only have value once you're in debt to a bank for 30 years. We need to end the obsession with ownership as a route to happiness #IHchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/v2u0omdElt
— Paul Taylor (@PaulBromford) October 10, 2018
Must get journalists to recognise social housing tenants as readers, viewers, listeners and not people we occasionally report on when drama unfolds or misery prevails! Homelessness is similarly approached as 'Christmas angle'. We're people not case studies! #HousingDay18 #IHChat
— Rachel Broady (@RachelBroady)Must get journalists to recognise social housing tenants as readers, viewers, listeners and not people we occasionally report on when drama unfolds or misery prevails! Homelessness is similarly approached as 'Christmas angle'. We're people not case studies! #HousingDay18 #IHChat
— Rachel Broady (@RachelBroady) October 10, 2018
The discussion also focused on whether landlords are also culpable:
This is a really good question! How we frame the issues we are so passionate about can too often add to the problem we're trying to address. Over-use of the word “vulnerable” is a good example. It's all about the framing #framing @FrameWorksInst #ihchat #HousingDay18 t.co/xvof8bXkTa
— Faye Greaves CIHCM (@FayeGreavesCIH)This is a really good question! How we frame the issues we are so passionate about can too often add to the problem we're trying to address. Over-use of the word “vulnerable” is a good example. It's all about the framing #framing @FrameWorksInst #ihchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/xvof8bXkTa
— Faye Greaves CIHCM (@FayeGreavesCIH) October 10, 2018
Absolutely. Often ask groups of people for three or five words to describe themselves. No-one has ever said tenant, owner-occupier etc
— Alison Inman (@Alison_Inman)Absolutely. Often ask groups of people for three or five words to describe themselves. No-one has ever said tenant, owner-occupier etc
— Alison Inman (@Alison_Inman) October 10, 2018
The session concluded with a positive thought from Paul Taylor of Bromford:
There is HUGE opportunity to move into this space and change the narrative. Being a nation of homeowners was a time limited dream. We should instead move forward, toward the future of genuinely affordable, flexible rent #IHchat #HousingDay18 t.co/JHZS5MApUz
— Paul Taylor (@PaulBromford)There is HUGE opportunity to move into this space and change the narrative. Being a nation of homeowners was a time limited dream. We should instead move forward, toward the future of genuinely affordable, flexible rent #IHchat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/JHZS5MApUz
— Paul Taylor (@PaulBromford) October 10, 2018
In a special session with Labour's John Healey, the shadow housing secretary made it clear Labour backs the creation of a national tenant body:
There are some good tenants' groups doing a good but tough job; but also Government needs to back and respect. That's why we set up National Tenants' Voice in 2009, axed after 2010 election; and we'll do so again, alongside backing new local renters' unions #IHChat #HousingDay18 t.co/xVvRaizF2q
— John Healey MP (@JohnHealey_MP)There are some good tenants' groups doing a good but tough job; but also Government needs to back and respect. That's why we set up National Tenants' Voice in 2009, axed after 2010 election; and we'll do so again, alongside backing new local renters' unions #IHChat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/xVvRaizF2q
— John Healey MP (@JohnHealey_MP) October 10, 2018
Combatting homelessness, hunger and poverty was the theme of our 4.30pm Q&A. Brian Robson, of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, tweeted his support for Housing First:
There's great evidence behind Housing First - we're big fans. To make sure it's as effective as it can be, we need to match rapid rehousing with intensive, open-ended personalised support. Combining the two is the only way it'll work. #ihchat t.co/lC3DcWtKsU
— Brian Robson (@jrfbrian)There's great evidence behind Housing First - we're big fans. To make sure it's as effective as it can be, we need to match rapid rehousing with intensive, open-ended personalised support. Combining the two is the only way it'll work. #ihchat https://t.co/lC3DcWtKsU
— Brian Robson (@jrfbrian) October 10, 2018
Mike Owen, chief executive of Merthyr Valleys Homes gave short shrift to a suggestion by John Moss that increasing the equity input in Right to Buy could tackle homelessness:
I think England should follow Wales and Scotland in ending RTB #ihchat t.co/ODUVXTx9l7
— Mike Owen (@MikeOwen2390)I think England should follow Wales and Scotland in ending RTB #ihchat https://t.co/ODUVXTx9l7
— Mike Owen (@MikeOwen2390) October 10, 2018
Beatrice Orchard of St Mungo’s, meanwhile, set out her blueprint for reducing rough sleeping, homelessness, hunger and poverty
Build more social housing, bring benefits in line with housing costs, fund services that prevent and reduce homelessness long-term, otherwise costs will just fall to other parts of the public sector, and join @StMungos #HomeForGood campaign! t.co/lIeulrg765 #IHchat t.co/3bxxJr0sbn
— Beatrice Orchard (@BeaOrchard)Build more social housing, bring benefits in line with housing costs, fund services that prevent and reduce homelessness long-term, otherwise costs will just fall to other parts of the public sector, and join @StMungos #HomeForGood campaign! https://t.co/lIeulrg765 #IHchat https://t.co/3bxxJr0sbn
— Beatrice Orchard (@BeaOrchard) October 10, 2018
Our final #IHchat Q&A was on ‘Building the right homes in the right places’
A question about how to get local communities onside with development was tackled by some of the panel:
My view is to work with people on how to improve local infrastructure. Most people I have met are concerned that infrastructure doesn’t keep pace with new housing. #IHChat #HousingDay18 t.co/fqbqeomG3n
— David Cowans (@david_cowans)My view is to work with people on how to improve local infrastructure. Most people I have met are concerned that infrastructure doesn’t keep pace with new housing. #IHChat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/fqbqeomG3n
— David Cowans (@david_cowans) October 10, 2018
Real spatial planning has to be built from the bottom up as well as top down, from the beginning - involving communities in understanding demand and need in their area helps resolve potential conflicts later #HousingDay18 #Ihchat t.co/HlaOKGk7CC
— Barbara Spicer (@BarbaraSpicer15)Real spatial planning has to be built from the bottom up as well as top down, from the beginning - involving communities in understanding demand and need in their area helps resolve potential conflicts later #HousingDay18 #Ihchat https://t.co/HlaOKGk7CC
— Barbara Spicer (@BarbaraSpicer15) October 10, 2018
You need to work hard to earn people's trust. New developments need to be well-designed, supported by infrastructure & improve the public realm. Above all they need to bring benefits to the existing community, including social rented & other genuinely affordable homes. #IHchat t.co/Fz4lHIctcF
— James Murray (@jamesmurray_ldn)You need to work hard to earn people's trust. New developments need to be well-designed, supported by infrastructure & improve the public realm. Above all they need to bring benefits to the existing community, including social rented & other genuinely affordable homes. #IHchat https://t.co/Fz4lHIctcF
— James Murray (@jamesmurray_ldn) October 10, 2018
A question on how the LHA cap axe could help associations prompted many of the panellists, including James Prestwich of the National Housing Federation and Sheron Carter, chief executive of Habinteg, to stress the importance of councils and associations working together:
Lots of e.g of L.A. and HA working together. JV in Greater Manchester just one. Opportunity to work together on large sites/new settlements. Both sectors work best together and both have huge role in solving housing crisis #HousingDay18 #IHchat t.co/4RKlBZUBRt
— James Prestwich (@JamesAPrestwich)Lots of e.g of L.A. and HA working together. JV in Greater Manchester just one. Opportunity to work together on large sites/new settlements. Both sectors work best together and both have huge role in solving housing crisis #HousingDay18 #IHchat https://t.co/4RKlBZUBRt
— James Prestwich (@JamesAPrestwich) October 10, 2018
I am hearing about lots of new strategic partnerships developing between councils and housing associations. We can do more together so expect this will be a new trend #IHChat #HousingDay18 t.co/HfVcGERsxq
— Sheron Carter (@CarterSheron)I am hearing about lots of new strategic partnerships developing between councils and housing associations. We can do more together so expect this will be a new trend #IHChat #HousingDay18 https://t.co/HfVcGERsxq
— Sheron Carter (@CarterSheron) October 10, 2018
