Benefit changes are ‘greatest challenge’ for sector

In his speech to the CIH’s annual presidential dinner last night Robin Lawler called on the sector to respond to the impact that government changes to welfare will have on tenants.

He argued the changes are based on ‘misplaced assumptions about who benefits from welfare, who should benefit and the role of the state’ and that the debate has ‘deflected from the real issue that is the significant challenge thousands of households face in accessing and retaining affordable, good quality housing’.

The government’s benefit reforms, which include capping the maximum amount that can be received in a year at £26,000, are contained in the Welfare Reform Bill, which is currently in the final stages of its journey through Parliament.

Mr Lawler, who is chief executive of north Manchester arm’s-length management organisation Northwards Housing, said his objective for his year as president is to make the government recognise the contribution of the housing sector. He added that public and media perception is currently a problem that needs to be overcome.

At the event Mr Lawler also announced the creation of an annual Sarah Webb lecture to commemorate the former CIH chief executive, who died last year. He said this would reflect her passion and commitment to ‘game changing’ ideas.

The CIH dinner, which was held at the National History Museum in London, also saw the presentation of the first Nicky Chapman Award under the Positive Action for Disability scheme. This was received by Debbie Smith, who is now an employee at New Charter Housing Trust.

The award was set up in memory of Habinteg chair and tenant Nicky Chapman, and recognises disabled people who are doing excellent work in housing.