NHF and CIH set out action plan to carry out Better Social Housing Review recommendations

The NHF and the CIH said the draft set of indicators and broader framework will be developed and revised by April 2024 following a consultation throughout 2023-24. The groups will align with the timescales of revisions to the Decent Homes Standard.

 

They said they will establish a member ‘task and finish’ group (a time-limited group set up to achieve an objective), made up of experts in data, housing and asset management, to drive delivery of this recommendation over the next year. The first meeting was held in April, with further meetings upcoming to shape all of the other work.

 

The action plan said: “The overarching aim of this work is to support housing associations to build up the data they need to effectively monitor property condition and then take informed, equitable action to improve the quality of their homes.

 

“This is a significant piece of work which will take at least a year to design and launch. We will then work with housing associations to help them embed any changes needed over a period of multiple years.”

 

Repairs and maintenance

 

The BSHR also recommended that housing associations “partner with residents, contractors and frontline staff to develop and apply new standards defining what an outstanding maintenance and repairs process looks like”.

 

In response to this, the NHF and the CIH will support housing associations to review their repairs and maintenance processes, working with residents, contractors and staff to see where standards and delivery can be strengthened.

 

The CIH established a Best Practice in Repairs and Maintenance Group in the summer and the work will be ongoing throughout autumn.

 

The action plan said: “Through this group we will identify and develop key metrics on repairs and maintenance performance that could be used to track improvements. CIH will ensure the group’s expertise includes tackling systemic racism and inequality.”

 

Refocusing on core purpose

 

The BSHR called for “every housing association, and the sector as a whole” to “refocus on their core purpose and deliver against it”.

 

The NHF and the CIH said they will ensure that all housing associations see the need for equality, diversity and inclusion as a “strategic priority”, and encourage providers to consider societal inequalities that exist within the local communities where they have homes.

 

They said they will use existing measures to track progress on improving the quality of social housing and of services delivered to residents at a national level.

 

The bodies will continue promoting the NHF’s 2020 code of governance as a tool that can be used to improve transparency, demonstrate accountability and increase trust.

 

The NHF and the CIH will organise a series of events and share resources that will support and challenge housing associations to reflect on their core purpose and organisational culture. This includes encouraging them to consider how they meet the diverse needs of ethnic minorities and disabled residents.

 

Ensuring residents have a voice

 

Concerning tenant engagement, the BSHR said associations should work with “all residents to ensure that they have a voice and influence at every level of decision making across the organisation”. This should be through both voluntary and paid roles, it said.

 

The NHF will increase the number of adopters of Together with Tenants, the body’s sector-wide initiative focused on strengthening the relationship between residents and their housing associations. There are currently 221 adopters, which collectively own 86 per cent of housing association homes.

By April 2024 the NHF aims to have increased the number of adopters by 25 per cent, reaching more than 90 per cent of housing association homes.

 

The NHF will offer support to the Together with Tenants adopters by sharing good practice on involving residents in decision-making.

 

The NHF said it will revisit its Together with Tenants charter to ensure that it captures its ambition to eliminate inequality and racism, and that it aligns with changes to consumer regulation.

 

Community hubs

 

Another recommendation from the BHSR was for associations to develop “a proactive local community presence through community hubs which foster greater multi-agency working”.

 

The NHF and the CIH said that, through events, networks and online communications, they will share examples of where community hubs and other local presences are working well with and for residents.

 

They said: “Where desired, collaboration between mainstream housing associations and BME housing associations could be key to ensuring culturally inclusive spaces and services thrive.”

 

CIH training

 

The CIH also responded to the BHSR’s recommendation that the trade body should promote the traditional housing officer role as a “supported and valued employment opportunity” by providing a recognised programme of training and continuing development.

 

The body said it will promote qualifications, training and professional standards for the housing officer role in 2023 and beyond, taking into account the government’s new qualification requirements for senior managers and leaders.

 

It said it will be mindful to ensure the course content and promotion is inclusive and clearly embraces diversity. Earlier this year, the CIH told Social Housing that it is “gearing up” for a push to drive up standards in the sector.

 

Reviewing progress

 

Another recommendation in December’s report called for housing associations to support residents and frontline staff to undertake an “annual review of the progress each organisation is making in implementing [the BSHR] review’s recommendations”.

 

The NHF and the CIH said they will support housing associations to set up such mechanisms by sharing best practice. Using publicly reported data, the groups will track national progress on the quality of social housing, customer service and equitable access to good-quality housing.

 

The bodies said their action plan is an evolving document, which will develop and grow as the groups implement, learn and build on the actions. Throughout 2023 they will provide updates to their members and on their websites as they deliver these actions.

 

‘Ambitious plan’

 

Helen Baker, chair of Shelter and chair of the BSHR panel, said the plan is “ambitious” and shows that housing associations recognise the issues and will work with tenants to share learning and drive positive change.

 

She said: “It is a plan where equity properly sits at the heart of quality. Our housing system is under huge pressure, and we need to see the government also now taking action, alongside social housing providers and tenants, to invest in our country’s homes.”

 

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the NHF, said this “robust and ambitious” plan shows the sector’s commitment to making improvements where they are needed.

 

Ms Henderson said: “Social housing leaders are passionate about driving forward this collaborative effort to ensure that all of our homes and services meet the high standards we set for ourselves, and this plan builds on the great work housing associations are already doing to improve their homes and services.”

 

Gavin Smart, chief executive of the CIH, said: “We’re pleased to be able to work with our members and with the sector to publish this action plan.

 

“It commits housing professionals to a series of important steps which will address the independent panel review’s findings and recommendations and help to ensure that all tenants of social housing live in good-quality, well-managed homes and are treated with dignity and respect.”