social housing

Ian Cochran, Head of Consultancy at Changeworks, on how the organisation is supporting housing associations in Scotland to prepare for net zero.
As the UK progresses toward ambitious climate goals, housing associations face the challenge of balancing legislative requirements with the practicalities of retrofitting their housing stock and ensuring tenant comfort. 
In Scotland, the delay in the publication of the Social Housing Net Zero Standard (SHNZS) has added an element of uncertainty for many in the sector. However, forward-thinking housing associations, supported by experts like Changeworks, are already taking action to prepare for SHNZS.

Housing associations and property managers have many responsibilities. But fundamentally, they are responsible for ensuring that their resident’s properties are safe, secure and in good condition. Ensuring this, however, can be tricky. From running water and heating to lighting and ventilation, there are a number of factors to consider. And in turn, a number of challenges to overcome. 

Damp and mould presents one of the biggest risks. It's not a new challenge, and its effects have been well documented, particularly following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak caused by prolonged exposure to mould. Following the coroner’s November 2022 report, social housing providers, including local authorities and housing associations, were asked to submit evidence about the extent of damp and mould in tenants’ homes and how they were tackling the issue. 

CHIC, a leading asset management and procurement consortium, is proud to announce the launch of its comprehensive Fire & Building Safety Framework. Designed to meet the evolving needs of its members, this framework provides a robust, compliant route to market for fire safety installations, servicing, maintenance and consultancy services.

As Business Manager of Shelforce, Howard Trotter has extensive experience of manufacturing and supplying windows, doors and fire doors to housing associations. Here, he discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the sector in 2025 and beyond.

Stewart Clements, Director of the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) recently stated. “It’s important that those responsible for building new homes and for upgrading existing homes – including both social and private housing providers and landlords – recognise the different factors involved in minimising energy consumption and in making tomorrow’s homes the efficient properties needed to achieve decarbonisation and reach the net zero target for 2050.”

A landlord has created an easy-to-use app to help fellow landlords and letting agents prepare for the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill.
RoomApp dispenses with the archaic paper-based methods currently employed by most landlords and housing associations to record, store and share information and which are putting tenants’ lives at risk.

The new Government is committed to delivering 1.5 million homes (during this Parliament) including the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation, therefore speed of construction is a priority.

That makes a revolutionary new roof tile, from pioneering manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles perfect, as the tile is 33 per cent quicker to install than other thinner leading-edge interlocking tiles.