Opinion: A critical look at building regulations Oct 2023 – accessibility concerns in high-rise buildings

In this personal blog, Nu McAdam, a resident of Hyde Housing Association, highlights their concerns with the current regulations and calls on the government to do better. Nu, an accessibility consultant and researcher, is quadriplegic … Read more

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HA project manager aims to inspire young girls and women to join construction sector

A housing association project manager wants to help young girls and women to realise the opportunities in the UK’s construction section – opportunities they may be overlooking because of their gender. Sharing her experience during … Read more

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Social landlord’s equality achievements win national praise

A social landlord has been nationally recognised for its success in promoting inclusivity and diversity across the business. Stonewater was this week recognised as one of the country’s Top 25 organisations which achieved Maturity Matrix … Read more

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Course of the week

Collecting with care 2024 – Mental health, housing income and rent arrears: 13 March – Live virtual training  The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute estimates that one in three social housing tenants with rent arrears, … Read more

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Opinion: Racism goes beyond individuals and organisations

By Mushtaq Khan, Chief Executive, Housing Diversity Network In recent weeks people have been asking us here at Housing Diversity Network to comment on or ‘call out’ individuals or organisations when something goes wrong or … Read more

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Course of the week

An introduction to HHSRS and housing standards: 28 March – Live virtual training  This virtual training is aimed at frontline workers who frequently go into residents’ properties. It raises awareness and knowledge of the property … Read more

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Latest member question: demand for level access showers

A local authority member is researching the demand for level access showers by Occupational Therapists for council owned dwellings. During the review of their Capital Projects budget and in particular the Adaptations budget, they have … Read more

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Course of the week

A new era for resident engagement – for housing staff: 22 February – Live virtual training  This course will take delegates through the new regulatory expectations, help you get where you need to be and … Read more

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Government’s new ‘competence and conduct’ standard will ‘improve service for all social housing tenants’

The government says social housing tenants will receive a fairer and better service from their housing provider, under new plans it has unveiled today. Under the new standards, providers will need to arm their staff … Read more

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Course of the week

Condensation, damp and mould for non-technical officers: 13 February – Live virtual training  Condensation, damp and mould if left untreated can have profound consequences on quality of life and health as well as the fabric … Read more

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Course of the week

Customer complaint handling workshop: 28 February – Live virtual training  The Housing Ombudsman says that 2 of every 3 complaints they see could have been handled better by the landlord. Getting complaint handling right saves … Read more

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Housing association achieves world first for diversity and inclusion 

A housing association has become the first in the world to achieve the global Standard for Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management. Manningham Housing Association (MHA) was given the award following an on-site assessment and … Read more

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HQN Training – new for 2024

New for 2024 all of our courses are now certificated with professional development hours. View all our upcoming public courses here.  Further details on professionalisation requirements and the competency and conduct standard for the social … Read more

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Housing Quality Magazine January 2024

Welcome to the January 2024 edition of HQM. We start the year with a look at the planned 2024/25 rent increase and its implications for both landlords and residents. We also ask some of the … Read more

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Opinion: Give boards a bigger range of voices – and stop worshipping the governance gurus

By Alistair McIntosh, HQN CEO If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Why does no one ever follow that advice? A year or so ago I was on the train and got talking … Read more

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HQN appoints Chloe Fletcher as new director

HQN is delighted to announce the appointment of Chloe Fletcher as a new director. A well-known and highly regarded figure in the social housing sector, Chloe joins from the National Federation of ALMOs, where she … Read more

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HQN’s housing regulation quiz 2023

Who doesn’t look forward to a housing regulation quiz at this time of year? And we have one for you that gradually gets harder to really test hardcore regulation fans! If you don’t get 100%, … Read more

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Phoenix host event to raise disability awareness in Lewisham

Phoenix Community Housing’s Disability Awareness Day event drew in crowds for an evening celebrating Lewisham’s diverse community. The Lewisham landlord opened the doors of its community building The Green Man on Tuesday 28 November to … Read more

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Minister: Disabled people must do ‘their duty’ and work from home

Disabled people must work from home to do “their duty” or face losing benefits, a minister has said. Speaking to Sky News, Laura Trott, chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “Of course there should be … Read more

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Latest member question: vulnerability policies

One of our members is looking for examples of vulnerability policies, where you may set out your approach to support and/or an enhanced service for customers based upon particular vulnerabilities they may have. If you … Read more

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Housing Quality Magazine October 2023

The autumn edition of HQM features a big interview with Richard Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman, in which he shares his insights into the service’s progress and his views on everything from leasehold to mergers. Lara … Read more

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Data breaches put domestic abuse victims’ lives at risk, commissioner warns

Data breaches are putting the lives of domestic abuse victims at risk, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has warned. The warning comes after the ICO reprimanded seven organisations in the past 14 months for data … Read more

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Opinion: Transforming digital services for residents

By Jess Ettridge, Connect 21 Facilitator – Strategic Improvement Team, Tenancy Super Guru Housing 21 is a leading not-for-profit provider of retirement living and extra care for older people of modest means. We operate in … Read more

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Opinion: Supporting BAME residents into smaller homes

By Lee Bloomfield, Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association Earlier this month I was asked to give oral evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Housing and Older People’s inquiry into the regeneration of outdated … Read more

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Latest member question: EDI resident survey

Hi We are currently reviewing our EDI survey to residents and wanted to find the right wording and content to ask the question around disability.  We would initially ask – Do you have a disability … Read more

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Older BAME housing association residents ‘need more support’ getting into smaller homes

The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has told a Westminster inquiry there needs to be better choices for older people from BAME communities to downsize their properties and receive a better offer of … Read more

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HQN launches updated social housing regulation toolkit

HQN is delighted to announce our updated social housing regulation toolkit. The toolkit will help you to get ready for the start of what the minister says will be “Ofsted-style” inspections for housing. Every member … Read more

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Housing association appoints new chief executive

Charmaine Simei will be the new chief executive of Tuntum Housing Association, succeeding Richard Renwick MBE who is due to retire in the autumn after almost three decades in the post. Ms Simei is currently … Read more

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Severe maladministration found after council left vulnerable children in home with damp and mould

The Housing Ombudsman has found severe maladministration for a local authority for its lack of stage one complaint response on two separate occasions, which left a resident and her two vulnerable children in a home with damp … Read more

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Opinion: A personal pledge to shape the future of housing leadership

By Elly Hoult, candidate for Chartered Institute of Housing vice presidency I am excited and honoured to step into the spotlight as a candidate for the position of vice president. This moment is a heartfelt … Read more

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