Industry News
Total Housing 2019 rounds up the key issues facing the sector
discuss the hurdles facing the industry. Total Housing 2019, organised by the Chartered
O
Institute of Housing (CIH), saw two days packed full of content on a variety of issues affecting housing including housing stock maintenance, regulation, homelessness, Universal Credit, offsite construction, and Brexit. The talks were held across four theatres – The
Big Picture, Development & Asset Management, Housing Management and Fringe. Speakers included professionals from a range of industry bodies including Homes England, Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Shelter, Savills, Anchor Hanover and the CIH. The event began with a welcome and overview
discussion on the state of the housing industry chaired by CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE. Alafat also offered her thoughts on housing’s biggest issues in a talk at the Fringe theatre. Other sessions held over the course of the event
looked at specific issues such as how Brexit will impact the building industry, with the FMB’s Barry Mortimer discussing the skills and materials
n 6 and 7 March at the Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel, experts and delegates from the housing sector gathered to
shortage the UK is facing due to its upcoming departure from the EU. Savills’ Helen Collins and Melissa Madjitey and
Anchor Hanover’s Abigail Ellis looked at the increase in stock rationalisation within the housing management sector and the effect this is having in terms of driving housing growth and improving efficiencies. Nik Turner from Thirteen Group discussed how
the company managed to turn itself around from one that was failing to meet customer needs and employee satisfaction, to one that now maintains a top quartile performance and excellent customer feedback. She referenced the importance of introducing IT solutions and engaging more closely with tenants. In the Housing Management theatre, CIH’s Sam
Lister, Phoenix Community Housing’s Jackie Davcorn and the London Borough of Southwark’s Eugene Nixon gave their thoughts on why the role out of Universal Credit hasn’t been a smooth process, and what housing providers can do to help their tenants better understand it. This included the hosting of events where residents can learn and discuss any issues, and the introduction of programmes that aim to help them find work.
Building safety was a hot topic and one that was
explored by Jan Taranczuk of Jan Taranczuk Associates, Clarion Housing Group’s Daniel Hollas and the CIH’s Debbie Larner. The importance of resident engagement was emphasised, along with the suggestion of recruiting specific building safety managers. The benefits of modern methods of construction
were highlighted in a session with Baily Garner’s John Milner and Trowers & Hamlins’ Katie Saunders. They discussed the reasons they believe it hasn’t yet taken off such as the financial barriers faced by the public sector and delivery models that are “not fit for purpose”. They also explored the misconceptions putting people off, explaining how elements such as digital design actually allow for easy maintenance and repair programmes. Running alongside the conference was an
exhibition and on the Tuesday evening delegates and exhibitors attended a networking session where those in attendance were able to share ideas and meet likeminded professionals. The CIH hosts a multitude of events throughout the year, including its large annual conference and housing festival in Manchester from 25 – 27 June.
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM April/May 2019 | 11
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