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The latest update from a WhatsApp group chat of more than 200 housing leaders has revealed that the majority of organisations are not currently encouraging staff to return to the office, with chief executives complaining about the lack of clarity in government guidance.
On Monday, consultancy Campbell Tickell released its summary of what has been discussed in a WhatsApp group set up at the start of lockdown to allow leaders of housing associations and ALMOs share their concerns.
According to the update, the majority of members are not encouraging staff to return to the office and are operating a limit on numbers or teams permitted at one time.
A smaller number of organisations are moving to compulsory office working but with a “number of caveats”.
Many organisations are now questioning how to make offices more flexible and are sharing thoughts on the “workplace of tomorrow”.
It comes after prime minister Boris Johnson urged workers to return to the office, amid fears that home working is leading to the collapse of city centre economies.
According to the WhatsApp group, housing chief executives have said a lack of clarity from government over the next phases of lockdown has made future planning difficult, with some feeling forced to make decisions without substantive guidance.
Concerns have also been raised about “overworked” executive teams, particularly within smaller housing associations.
Other main points of discussion over the past month include conversations around shared ownership tenants seeking to sell back equity and rent their property at affordable rent. Questions were raised over whether it would be possible for landlords to receive grant to do this.
Housing leaders have also discussed the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus hitting the UK and what this could mean from a governance and financial planning perspective.
Previous updates from the WhatsApp group have revealed that furloughing, rent arrears and the welfare of residents have all been major talking points for chief executives during the COVID-19 crisis.