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Regulator gives governance downgrade over fire safety issues
A London housing association has been handed a governance downgrade in the latest release of regulatory judgements for failing to address health and safety issues – including fire safety.
Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA), which owns around 2,500 homes across six London boroughs, has had its governance downgraded from ‘G1’ to ‘G2’ by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) following an in-depth assessment.
It now has a G2/V1 rating, which is still compliant with regulatory standards.
In 2016, an independent review of ISHA’s health and safety compliance recommended “the need for clear policies and action plans” to meet standards, “most notably regarding fire safety and asbestos management”, according to the regulatory judgement.
It said the landlord had “demonstrated that it is making progress” to maintain compliance, but had not provided clear evidence “that the board has maintained sufficient oversight or received sufficient assurance of the control of health and safety risks”.
ISHA intends to commission another review to strengthen improvements on health and safety compliance.
Inside Housing has contacted ISHA for comment.
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Among 14 judgements by the RSH released today (see table below), four housing associations have been given viability downgrades, while three received governance upgrades.
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), an 11,500-home stock transfer association, and Connexus Housing, which has around 10,000 units, were both downgraded from ‘V1’ to ‘V2’ for viability.
The RSH cited forecast declining surpluses from social housing lettings in its judgement of FCHO and warned of increased risks from Connexus’ plans for a “significant increase in debt-funded development”, including a chunk of homes for market sale. A V2 rating means an association is still compliant with regulatory standards.
Cambridge Housing Society (known as CHS Group) and Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association were also moved down to V2.
The regulator said increased development programmes were behind both regrades.
Onward Homes, which owns 35,000 homes across five subsidiaries, has been upgraded to a compliant G2 rating following extensive changes to its board and executive team and improvements in its data holding.
Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (known as BCHA) and Colne Housing Society were both handed governance upgrades to G1 – the highest level of compliance.
Plymouth Community Homes, Golding Homes, Castles & Coasts Housing Association, Cottsway Housing Association and Wellingborough Homes all maintained their previous ratings.
Latest RSH regulatory judgements
| Provider | Governance | Viability | Change |
| BCHA | G1 | V2 | Governance upgrade |
| CHS Group | G1 | V2 | Viability downgrade |
| Castles & Coasts Housing Association | G2 | V1 | No change |
| Colne Housing Society | G1 | V1 | Governance upgrade |
| Connect Housing Association | G1 | V1 | No change |
| Connexus Housing | G1 | V2 | Viability downgrade |
| Cottsway Housing Association | G1 | V1 | No change |
| First Choice Homes Oldham | G1 | V2 | Viability downgrade |
| Golding Homes | G1 | V1 | No change |
| Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association | G2 | V1 | Governance downgrade |
| Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association | G1 | V2 | Viability downgrade |
| Onward Homes | G2 | V1 | Governance upgrade |
| Plymouth Community Homes | G1 | V2 | No change |
| Wellingborough Homes | G1 | V1 | No change |
