17 signatories, including HQN, have called on the government to not delay pushing forward with the new Social Housing (Regulation) Bill.
Released last week, it was announced that government will begin to “name and shame” failing social housing providers, as part of major reforms to give residents a stronger voice and drive up standards.
And while the groups welcome the release of the Bill, they say more must now be done.
The letter says that “we now need to prioritise getting these changes onto the statute book” and say that the “promises made to the bereaved, residents and survivors of the Grenfell fire should become the law this spring”.
The full letter reads:
Nearly five years on from the Grenfell Tower fire, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has now published their draft Bill to regulate social housing.
This law is beyond overdue Recent exposure of the living conditions and frustrations of some residents has revealed the continued devastating impact of poor housing conditions on our communities. While we will continue to work with the Government to ensure this Bill does all it can do– we now need to prioritise getting these changes onto the statute book.
Good quality social housing underpins health and wellbeing, social care and educational attainment. Residents deserve respect, and for their voices to be heard. Well-managed and well-funded social housing is vital if the government is to restore a sense of local pride and belonging to every neighbourhood.
This legislation would allow the social housing regulator to get to work to building a system that delivers real accountability and gives tenants a voice.
There is no reason for delay. The promises made to the bereaved, residents and survivors of the Grenfell fire should become the law this spring.
Yours sincerely
Natasha Elcock (Chair) Grenfell United
Rob Gershon, Social Housing Campaigner
Darren Baxter (Housing and Policy and Partnerships Manager) Joseph Rowntree Foundation
John Bibby (CEO) Association of Retained Council Housing
Chloe Fletcher (Policy Director) National Federation of ALMOs
Tracy Harrison (CEO) Northern Housing Consortium
Kate Henderson (CEO) National Housing Federation
Alison Inman, SHOUT
Blase Lambert (CEO) Confederation of Co-operative ousing
Alistair McIntosh (CEO) Housing Quality Network
Geeta Nanda OBE (CEO) Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing and Chair, G15
Polly Neate (CEO) Shelter
Jenny Osbourne (CEO) TPAS
Nick Reynolds (Chair) National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations
Gavin Smart (CEO) Chartered Institute of Housing
Darren Hartley (CEO) TAROE Trust
Matthew Walker (CEO) Leeds Federated Housing Association and Chair, PlaceShapers