G15 welcomes social housing regulation reforms

Following announcements by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities on reforms to social housing regulation announced on 29th March 2022, Richard Hill, Vice-Chair of the G15, has responded.

Richard Hill, G15 Vice-Chair and Chief Executive of One Housing Group, said:

“We fully support and share the government’s commitment to drive-up standards for social housing residents. We welcome today’s announcements that will support providers, the regulator, and the government to deliver on that commitment. We’ve urged the government to bring forward implementation of the social housing white paper for some time, and have shared our support for the updated Tenant Satisfaction Measures with the regulator.

“It is good to see that the need for the voice of social housing residents to be heard on a national stage is being recognised. G15 members will be encouraging residents to apply to join the panel and to share their views nationally, as well as through our existing extensive resident engagement structures.

“However, that basic right that every one of our residents deserves - to be listened to and to be treated with respect by their housing provider - cannot and will not rely solely on formal panels and surveys. It has to be at the heart of every interaction we have with our residents. Otherwise, despite all the investment we make in people’s homes and the commitment I know people across our sector have to making a difference for our residents, we will have woefully missed the point.

“It is helpful to see the draft clauses being proposed for inclusion in future legislation, and we will be working through the details of these. The full legislation must now follow quickly to help underpin the much-needed change residents have told us they want to see and we are committed to delivering.”