Expert group formed to advise government on social housing

The government has formed a new expert group from across the housing sector to advise on the delivery of the social housing white paper.

The social housing white paper was published last year and outlines a range of reforms to improve the standards for social housing residents and improve regulation of the sector.

The government hopes that the reforms will address safety issues, strengthen the complaints process, professionalise staff and rebalance the relationships between residents and landlords.

Minister for rough sleeping and housing, Eddie Hughes MP, said: ‘Giving social housing residents a stronger voice and ensuring landlords raise standards is at the heart of our landmark reforms to transform the sector.

‘The expert panel will help to ensure that we deliver on these reforms, bringing together people who will scrutinise our plans and guarantee we achieve the vision set out in the Charter.’

The social housing white paper sets out the expectation that every social housing resident should be safe in their home, know how their landlord is performing, and have their complaints dealt with promptly and fairly.

The white paper also aims to allow residents to be treated with respect, have their voice heard, have good quality homes and neighbourhoods, and be supported in taking steps towards home ownership.

The expert panel’s membership includes the Chartered Institute for Housing, Grenfell United, Shelter, and the National Housing Federation, alongside a range of other charities, organisations and universities.

The panel will meet four times over the next year to scrutinize and advise as the government implements the white paper, following engagement with residents, housing associations and stakeholders.

In related news, to address the climate crisis and rising demand for housing, the Welsh government has doubled its spending on social housing for rent, committing an initial £250m in the coming year for 20,000 new low carbon homes.

Photo supplied by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government