At the recent Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Harrogate, chief executive of the CIH, Sarah Webb, passionately spoke to delegates and Grant Shapps about overall improvement of the housing sector.  She enthusiastically pointed out how two things were going to ultimately make a difference for housing.  Accountability of the housing sector was first and for Shapps, the government’s involvement.  She also sought awareness from Shapps that his support plays a major role in how important housing is considered in the political arena.

She discussed the government’s role, saying: “Of course you won’t be surprised to hear that some people have concerns about your government’s delivery – particularly in relation to silo working between departments… Over the next few years we’ll be monitoring your government’s delivery against your stated policy commitments and we’ll be regularly reporting back on progress.”

She added: “I know we need to be more responsive to local needs; to strengthen the governance, transparency and accountability of our organisations; to use our assets more effectively, and to be better at offering a wider range of choices in response to the many different needs of our existing and future customers.”

She also believes Shapps needs to place more support behind sustainable communities and let social housing function the way it was intended, not short term housing for the needy.

Webb also commented on how the government needs to work together and approach housing as a functional machine with moving parts, saying: ‘We have the evidence but we need you to lead dialogue with colleagues outside your department, to demonstrate why housing matters to their agendas, and to make housing and welfare policy pull in the same direction.’