New expert group created to advise on improvements to social housing sector

The social housing white paper – published last year – outlines a wide-ranging package of reforms to improve standards for residents and enhance regulation of the sector.

The reforms aim to deliver long-lasting and meaningful change – addressing safety issues, strengthening the complaints process, professionalising staff and rebalancing the relationship between resident and landlord.

Eddie Hughes MP, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing said:

Giving social housing residents a stronger voice and ensuring landlords raise standards is at the heart of our landmark reforms to transform the sector.

The expert panel will help to ensure that we deliver on these reforms, bringing together people who will scrutinise our plans and guarantee we achieve the vision set out in the Charter.

The panel will meet four times over the next year to provide scrutiny and advice as the government implements the social housing white paper. This follows extensive engagement with residents, housing associations and other stakeholders.

The government has already made progress to improve the quality and safety of social housing - launching a review of the Decent Homes Standard, a working group on electrical safety, and holding a consultation on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as running a national campaign to raise awareness of how to seek redress when things go wrong.

The social housing white paper outlines that every social housing resident should expect to:

be safe in your home

know how your landlord is performing

have your complaints dealt with promptly and fairly

be treated with respect

have your voice heard by your landlord

have a good quality home and neighbourhood to live in

be supported to take your first step to ownership

Membership of the Expert Challenge Panel is:

Chartered Institute for Housing

Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence

Communities that Work

Confederation of Co-operative Housing

De Montfort University

Grenfell United

HACT

Local Government Association

National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations

National Housing Federation

Shelter

Social Value Lab

Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse

TAROE Trust

Tpas