It could make pretty depressing reading. A group of the largest housing associations in the UK routinely shrugging off repeated findings of serious mismanagement by the Housing Ombudsman. A sector enjoying the protection of a government too scared to effectively regulate them because they help plug gaps in public housing policy. But tenants, residents, and… Continue reading Strong Message, Weak Sanctions, Changing Views
A One Housing Resident writes Residents say that after two years of cladding meetings, there remains no foreseeable end in sight for One Stratford residents. June 2024 will mark four years since we, as residents of the One Stratford estate in East London, were officially told that our homes were unsafe and in need of… Continue reading OHG One Stratford Residents’ Two Year Battle Over Cladding Continues
By Carl Davis The Housing Ombudsman's finding of severe maladministration against Clarion Housing Group, the largest housing association in Britain, over the preventable death of Mark Pearce went almost uncommented upon within the social housing sector. There were no hastily convened press conferences of executives apologising for the mistreatment of Mark. No outpourings of horror… Continue reading No Warning Flags from Disabled Resident’s Death
A coalition of housing campaigners protested the Affordable Housing Awards on Friday 17th November. The event was held at the prestigious Old Trafford grounds in Manchester. The awards are presented annually to councils, housing associations, and their partners at an event organised by Inside Housing magazine and Reach PLC. Tenants and residents expressed their anger… Continue reading Protestors’ Anger at ‘Affordable’ Housing Awards
Residents of One Housing Group from different but comparable blocks on the same estate (One Stratford) have pooled information about their service charges and found a level of randomness that defies explanation. It highlights what happens when landlords are allowed to impose charges without any external oversight or regulation. A survey across flats in George… Continue reading Residents Expose One Housing Group’s Service Charge Abuse
A coalition of housing campaigners will be protesting the Affordable Housing Awards which take place from mid-day on Friday 17th November. The event is being held at the prestigious Old Trafford grounds in Manchester. The awards are presented annually to councils, housing associations, and their partners at an event organised by Inside Housing magazine and… Continue reading Protestors Target Housing Awards
The Office for National Statistics recently published inflation figures for September 2023. Tenants and residents living in housing association and council homes across the country will pay careful attention to this announcement. It is likely to be used as a basis for their April 2024 rent levels - and it is high. With inflation stubbornly… Continue reading Inflation Announcement Risks Social Rent Rises Almost 8%
By Martin Andrews*, THCH tenant The proposed merger of Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) and Poplar Harca in East London has ignited a firestorm of controversy among residents. While the merger appeared to be the Regulator's favoured route for THCH, many residents harbour strong reservations. Their preference is for a return to council control with… Continue reading Tower Hamlets Community Residents Demand Return to Council
Exactly one month from today, social landlords will be heading to Manchester for their annual booze up and backslapping. And we will be there to meet them. The UK Housing Awards was an annual self-congratulatory ceremony for housing associations, councils, and their partners. It was cancelled last year after SHAC's petition opposing the event topped… Continue reading Protest the Affordable Housing Awards
One Housing Group (OHG) keyworkers are being told to absorb a shocking 11.1% rent increase this month, according to letters that have been passed to SHAC. Selma*, a teacher on a keyworker tenancy with OHG in London, received one such letter out of the blue in September. Selma questioned the increase as housing association rent… Continue reading One Housing Group Keyworkers Get 11% Rent Rises
