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Wrong to ignore government’s influence over social housing problems, says CIH

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) said it is wrong to ignore the “powerful influence” the government has over the environment social housing providers operate in. This followed a televised interview with the housing secretary, in which he was highly critical of the sector.

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Gavin Smart, chief executive of CIH
Gavin Smart, chief executive of CIH
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.@CIHhousing has said it is wrong to ignore the government's influence over social housing providers, following an interview with the housing secretary on ITV last week, in which he was highly critical of the sector #UKhousing

Housing bodies have criticised Robert Jenrick following an interview he gave last week in which he said people “don't want or have to be consigned to living in homes for social rent” #UKhousing

A number of housing bodies have reacted to an interview with Robert Jenrick that was broadcast by ITV last week amid the controversy surrounding the poor conditions in some social housing blocks.

In the interview, Mr Jenrick said the poor conditions have “nothing to do with government funding” and were instead caused by “a lack of compassion and poor management in a small number of councils and housing associations”.

In response to the interview, Gavin Smart, chief executive at the CIH, said: “The recent issues highlighted on ITN show that there is more the social housing sector must do to make sure tenants live in high-quality, safe and secure housing.

“As the professional body for the housing sector, we will continue to work with landlords and housing professionals to drive professional standards right across the housing sector.

“Responsibility for making these decisions and ensuring outcomes lie squarely with social landlords.

“However, the government exerts a powerful influence on the environment they operate in, which can and does influence decisions and outcomes, and it would be wrong to ignore that.”


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Multiple housing bodies criticised Mr Jenrick for saying during the interview that “not everybody wants or has to be consigned to living in homes for social rent”.

Jenny Osbourne, chief executive at Tpas, said: “It was really disappointing to hear the minister describe social rent housing as something to be ‘consigned to’. This language is hurtful, damaging and unnecessary.

“Social rent housing is a much needed and vital part of the mix of housing in this country. I really hoped we were making strides in tackling this sort of stigma-laden language that only values home ownership. Those words, from the housing minister no less, make it clear that there’s much more work to do yet.”

Darren Hartley, chief executive at the TAROE Trust, said: “It is disappointing that once again the government continues to make statements that suggest the sector is one of last resort. It further stigmatises the sector and tenants and residents that live within it.

“We should be celebrating the regulated housing sector, which could and should be a sector of choice.”

Mr Smart added: “For many people, a social rented home provides this bedrock, which is something to be celebrated. Social housing can and should be a tenure of choice. This isn’t incompatible with looking to create opportunities for people to become homeowners where that is their choice. It doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. Ensuring an adequate supply of homes of all sorts, and particularly social rented homes which save money for both tenants and government, would help to extend proper choice to more people.”

In the interview with ITV, Mr Jenrick also said the salaries of housing association executives are “out of control”, adding that housing associations “need to return” to a “social and moral mission”.

On this, Mr Smart said: “Chief executive pay is always likely to be a controversial subject. Housing association boards must find the right balance between the need to attract people with the skills and experience needed to run what are often highly complex organisations, whilst ensuring salary levels do not become excessive.

“Being transparent and open about how these decisions are made is important – good decisions stand up to scrutiny.

“Blanket statements about pay, or indeed other controversial topics, rarely serve to create the kind of open, honest and thoughtful approach that is needed. It’s equally important that legitimate and important questions about the quality of social housing stock and the level of service delivered to tenants and residents should not become a sideshow to a narrow debate on executive pay.”

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