Social was pleased to attend the Social Housing Annual Conference (SHAC) in November.
We heard insightful panel discussions on what Labour’s 1.5 million housing target means for the sector, private finance coming into housing sector, the global economic forecast and new ways of thinking to boost development within the sector.
Our team members Luke Cross, Tushar Parmar, Sydnee Bramble and Annalyce Whittaker were on hand to hear from a whole host of speakers, ask questions to panelists and discuss sector challenges and opportunities with people from across affordable housing and the investor community.
Below are some of the team’s reflections and key takeaways from the conference:
“It was great to attend SHAC, hear from industry leaders and meet with some of our clients in person. There were some interesting discussion points. Things that particularly stood out to me included the debate about private finance coming into the sector and the influence it can have, the role of shared ownership amidst the housing crisis and proposed restrictions on Right to Buy, but also challenges facing registered providers with net zero and build targets, “ said Tushar
Sydnee said: “The statistics of the decrease in output of homes, when building them with the net zero target in mind, was concerning. It highlighted the need for national government to step in and collaborate with housing associations to meet the 1.5 million home target and reach net zero.”
Luke added: “Social and affordable housing is in transition – and this really came through on the day. On the one hand there is the renewed optimism now with ‘an ally’ in government, and an administration that is coming at the housing crisis from a very similar mindset. But on the other, there’s the cold reality of what housing providers and their residents are facing – and the financial pressures that are bearing down on housing organisations and leaving them with tough choices to make. The Social Housing conference is a chance to hear more about that, and most importantly, to hear about the partnerships and solutions that the sector is coming up with in response.”
Alongside the panel discussions, we also had the chance to hear from Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, who delivered closing remarks.
Tushar said: “The highlight [of SHAC] was hearing from the Deputy PM and Secretary of State for Housing Angela Rayner, who spoke of her personal experiences in social housing and how it provided a foundation for her success, something she’s looking to replicate for others. She also took the opportunity to announce government plans to help tackle the housing crisis.”
“It was refreshing to hear her thoughts and passion about solving the crisis and her policy announcements. It did leave me wondering, how it be achieved with current planning legislation and a skills shortage notwithstanding the current state of the treasury making me question how it’ll be funded.
However, as an optimist, I look at the announcements positively and hopefully as something that can be achieved. My take on the speech was that she seemed very committed to the housing targets but at the same time, realistic that the goal was ambitious and would be no mean feat to achieve.”
Annalyce highlighted: “It was refreshing to hear that she was personally invested in solving the housing crisis, even sharing her own experience living in a council home and buying it through the RTB scheme (though was realistic that RTB needs to be reformed). She took the time to answer questions from the audience (which can be rare for politicians!) and there was a good atmosphere from the audience who seemed receptive of her speech.”
Luke added: “Given the news around the rent settlement and extra grant funding, there was always going to be a political message around the sector needing to step up and deliver in response. But a positive for me was Angela Rayner’s framing of this message – very much in the context of ‘having the sector’s back’ and understanding that we need a full policy tool kit, and not one or two policy changes, to stand any chance of revolutionising housing.
One topic for discussion that is always popular at these events is how the sector tells its story – especially in the context of housing quality, net zero and in housing providers working as partners to government.
“I’ve always been an advocate for the housing association movement – and the vital contribution it makes to society. But I do feel there’s been a wake up call in recent years when it comes to how the sector talks about itself, and ensures that the story it’s telling is aligned to the story everyone else – residents and politicians included – are telling about it. This is a work in progress in my view.”