The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the National Housing Federation (NHF) established the Better Social Housing Review, an independent panel to explore the issues of poor quality in some housing association homes. The Review has now published its findings and makes seven key recommendations:
- Every housing association, and the sector as a whole, should refocus on their core purpose and deliver against it
- Housing associations should work together to conduct and publish a thorough audit of all social housing in England
- Housing associations should partner with tenants, contractors and frontline staff to develop and apply new standards defining what an excellent maintenance and repairs process looks like
- The CIH should promote the traditional housing officer role as a supported and valued employment opportunity with a CIH recognised programme of training and continuing development
- Housing associations should work with all tenants to ensure that they have a voice and influence at every level of decision making across the organisation, through both voluntary and paid roles
- Housing associations should develop a proactive local community presence through community hubs which foster greater multi-agency working and
- Housing associations should support tenants and frontline staff to undertake an annual review of the progress each organisation is making in implementing this review’s recommendations.