Mark Whitehead 24 January 2018

Charity launches social housing commission

Shelter has launched a commission to investigate the future of social housing in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

A survey by the charity found almost half of families in social housing who reported unsafe or poor conditions felt they had been ignored or refused help.

Problems included fire safety, gas leaks and electrical hazards as well as mould and pests.

The commission will be chaired by Rev Mike Long of the Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower where 71 people died in the fire last June.

Other members are Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Ed Miliband MP, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Lord Jim O’Neill and Grenfell Tower survivor Edward Daffarn.

It will include roadshows, an online public consultation and research with social housing tenants.

A report will be presented to prime minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn by the end of the year.

The survey, conducted by YouGov, also found a quarter of families in social housing said they felt looked down on because of where they live compared with 8% of private renters or homeowners.

Rev Long said: 'We need to take a long hard look at why communities such as Grenfell have felt ignored, forgotten and too often like second-class citizens.

'The experiences of residents here in Grenfell are sadly common in many other parts of the country, too.'

The Local Government Association said it was important the work proceeds on 'the basis of good evidence'.

'According to the Government’s latest English Housing Survey, the vast majority of social renters – 81% – were satisfied with their accommodation. Social housing is twice as likely to meet the decent homes standard as the private rented sector,' said cllr Martin Tett, the LGA’s Housing spokesman.

'But councils need to have the financial tools to invest in the quality of their housing stock. The Government needs to use the upcoming final Local Government Finance Settlement to accept the calls of both the LGA and the cross-party Treasury Select Committee, and completely scrap the cap on the amount councils can borrow to invest in new and existing homes.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Solicitor/ Barrister / Chartered Legal Executive Commercial & Contracts (x2)

Warwickshire County Council
£50,856 to £57,083 per annum
Warwickshire Legal Services (WLS) are looking for two qualified lawyers to join their award-winning, motivated, and nationally recognised legal team. Warwick
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Head of Finance and Deputy s151 Officer

Conwy County Borough Council
£77,153 - £88,545
We are looking for an experienced and strategic financial leader who can operate confidently in a complex, political and fast-changing environment. Colwyn Bay, Conwy
Recuriter: Conwy County Borough Council

ICT Engineer Digital Squad

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Microsoft 365 Team for an ICT Engineer (Microsoft 365). This role will support Durham County Council's B Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Storekeeper Driver

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
An opportunity has come up in Highways Services for a Storekeeper/Driver.  They will assist the Stores Supervisor in delivering a customer focussed St Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Support

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 (pay award pending)
We're recruiting to a permanent role within our Pathways Service, which delivers day services to adults with complex needs, Monday to Friday. There i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner