HA outlines plans to build 5,700 homes and achieve net zero carbon

A housing association has revealed plans to build and regenerate over 5,700 homes and achieve net zero carbon in its own operations. Orbit’s 2030 corporate strategy also outlines its ambitions to invest significantly in its … Read more

Ombudsman: Housing association reviews nearly 4,000 cases

A housing association has undertaken a review of nearly 4,000 homes following a wider order from the Housing Ombudsman. The order for an independent review of policy and practice was made after the ombudsman made … Read more

Social landlord announces new CEO

A major social landlord has announced the appointment of a new chief executive. Mel Barrett will take over the reins at MTVH in early September, after a handover period from current CEO, Geeta Nanda OBE, … Read more

Majority of homeowners lack knowledge to choose heat pumps

A new survey has found that 59% of UK homeowners lack the information to confidently transition from traditional heating systems, such as gas boilers, to heat pumps and other renewable heating options. The Construction Industry … Read more

Housing Ombudsman highlights risks around landlord mergers

The Housing Ombudsman’s special investigation report into a housing association merger has found a “lack of ownership within the landlord’s complaint-handling culture”. The report says Southern Housing’s approach during the merger did not “extend sufficiently … Read more

Social landlord wins bid for government clean energy funding

A social landlord’s partnership with a net-zero technology specialist has led to a successful funding bid for a pioneering energy project. Flagship Group and Sero have secured funds through the government’s Community Energy Fund, a … Read more

Report highlights financial and rent payment challenges social housing tenants face

The ‘Holding on to home: tenant sustainment in social housing’ study team, which includes HQN, have published a new report which presents the findings of a survey of more than 1,200 social housing tenants across … Read more

Government scuppers third hydrogen town trial plan

The government has deferred plans for yet another hydrogen town trial, pushing the scheme back until at least after 2026. The move follows a similar decision to cancel plans to abandon hydrogen schemes in Redcar and … Read more

Government’s heat pump grant scheme changes come into effect

The government says that heat pumps will become cheaper and easier for families to install as proposed changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme came into effect this week. The revised scheme will see homeowners given … Read more

A week in climate change, 9 May

Warm ocean fans, rejoice, for the world’s greatest bodies of H2O have managed to break temperature records every single day over the course of the last tumultuous year. Pretty soon, fish eaters will be able … Read more

Housing Ombudsman appoints new 1,500-strong resident panel

The Housing Ombudsman has appointed a new resident panel, which will feature 1,500 residents from across the country sharing their views on complaints within social housing and how all of the sector, including the ombudsman … Read more

Innovation, resident engagement and fire safety prize open for entries

A £10,000 prize to fuel innovation, resident engagement and an increased focus on fire safety is open for entries. The Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) inaugural Paul Dockerill Award celebrates Paul Dockerill FCIOB, who passed … Read more

What can be done about the dire state of local authority finances?

By Tim Brown, HQN associate  The stark reality was summed up in a report on ‘Financial Distress in Local Authorities’ by the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee in January 2024:[1] “It … Read more

Opinion: Blue badge spaces

By Nu McAdam If you’ve always been curious about how disabled people get around the country, for work or just to see family, stay with me. You’re going to want to hear about this. I’m … Read more

Burnham calls for suspension of Right to Buy and outlines plans to build 10,000 homes

Andy Burnham has called for a suspension of the Right to Buy scheme and outlined his intention to build 10,000 new homes across Greater Manchester. The newly re-elected Mayor of Manchester has said that the … Read more

Housing regulator publishes three-year strategy and work plans

The Scottish Housing Regulator has published its new three-year strategy and work plans for 2024/25. The regulator’s priorities will be to: Deliver its statutory functions: Monitoring, assessing and reporting regularly on the performance of social … Read more

Report calls for energy efficiency to be factored into social rents

Energy efficiency should be factored into the social rent formula, a new report has concluded. The Housing Forum, a cross-sector organisation that represents the entire housing supply chain, says that though social housing is currently the … Read more

New partnership to allow residents to top up energy credit

A new partnership will allow residents to use their cash and vouchers to top up their energy credit at thousands of locations across the country. Paypoint says its collaboration with data and insights company Switchee … Read more

Opinion: Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

By Jane Atherton The month of May has long been associated with marking mental health awareness campaigns and perhaps, more specifically, Mental Health Awareness Week. This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday … Read more

Councils to gain cheaper land to boost affordable housing supply

New government reforms have gifted councils across the country the ability to buy cheaper land to help build thousands more social and affordable homes. According to the government, councils will be able to buy land … Read more

Opinion: The RICS’ Residential Retrofit Standard – what are the implications for housing associations?

By Simon Walker, National Director, Public Sector, RICS In March, the RICS unveiled a new standard for residential retrofit work, marking a significant milestone in the drive towards more sustainable and energy-efficient housing and potentially … Read more

Government launches personal independence payment consultation

The government has launched a consultation on the personal independence payment (PIP), as it attempts to make the disability benefits system “fit for the future”. According to the government, the Modernising Support Green Paper will … Read more

First Things First episode 93

Resident Scheme Manager

Palmer Court is a 35 unit sheltered housing scheme for residents over 55 capable of independent living and the manager will be expected to provide a service to the tenants to enable them to continue … Read more

15 recommendations for HA to tackle damp and mould failings after independent review

An independent review ordered by the Ombudsman into how housing association Orbit Group has handled damp and mould has made 15 recommendations to the social landlord. The review was independent of both the ombudsman and … Read more

Renters (Reform) Bill passed but no end in sight for no-fault evictions

MPs yesterday voted to pass the government’s Renters (Reform) Bill, but it included a clause that means tenants will have to continue to wait for a ban on ‘no-fault’ Section 21 evictions. Though campaigners have … Read more

A week in climate change, 24 April

Would you like to know where the Scottish government’s flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 is? It’s in a ditch. They’ve ditched it. But why? Why this ditching? It’s too … Read more

Gove appoints new non-executive directors to Leasehold Advisory Service board

Michael Gove has announced the appointment of four new non-executive directors to the Leasehold Advisory Service’s (LEASE) board. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has appointed Kim Caddy, Paula Higgins, Wendy … Read more

HA’s new partnership to offer free money management and energy advice

Housing association Orbit has entered into a new partnership with Citizens Advice Mid Mercia (CAMM) to offer customers free money management and energy advice. CAMM will support customers by providing debt and budgeting advice and … Read more

Repairs Administrative Assistant

You will contribute to the overall smooth running of the Asset Management team by providing comprehensive, proactive and efficient administrative support whilst delivering a professional, customer-focused and high quality repairs management service. You will have … Read more