Critical safety update from the Housing Minister

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Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP has written to Chief Executives and Council leaders to update them on safety legislation. He intends to share further details about future regulation on quality and safety over the coming weeks to give providers the certainty they need “to quickly ramp up investment in existing and new stock”.

The full letter is available to read here.

In this update he covers:

Awaab’s Law
The letter thanks the sector for engaging with the department on implementation of the new standards.

It confirms that Phase One of Awaab’s Law will be implemented October and Phases 2 and 3 in 2026 and 2027 respectively. It sets out clear guidance on the requirements of the new legislation.

Electrical Safety

Following consultation in 2022 “new electrical safety requirements will come into force in November requiring all landlords to inspect and test electrical installations in their properties at least every five years and carry out necessary works.”

Taking action to tackle claims farming

The letter says “we are working with the Ministry of Justice to tackle claims farming on housing disrepair cases which I know is a rising concern for landlords and tenants.”

With several significant announcements, including consultation on the new Decent Homes Standard, expected over the coming weeks the NHC continue to keep members updated and to engage with the government to represent your views.

Sharing Progress on Warmer Homes in the North West

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Earlier in June, we were pleased to welcome Selvin Brown and officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to see progress being made by NHC members in Greater Manchester to increase energy efficiency of homes.

This Greater Manchester tour follows a successful visit we organised with Selvin and his team to Government funded retrofit projects in South Yorkshire in May, and provided a useful opportunity to engage with DESNZ officials in the run up to the Spending Review.

The visit included a walking tour of Moss Side with NHC members MSV Housing – hearing about their Social Value initiatives, visiting a number of properties that have received successful retrofit works using DESNZ grant funding, and speaking with local residents about the positive impact of the works on their energy bills and wellbeing.

We also saw MSV Housing’s flagship ‘Cosy Home’ project which showcases how traditional, pre-war, brick-built, terraced houses can be made more energy efficient. Similar retrofit measures are being rolled out to 1200 hard-to-treat properties.

Over lunch, members of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers met and shared their experiences with Selvin and his team, including how they had experienced delivering home improvements using grant funding through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF).

Later in the day we visited Irwell Valley Homes’ £50m project in Sale West – which includes energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes, as well as multiple phases of new-build development to provide much-needed new affordable homes.

The Sale West scheme is a prime example of how multiple different funding sources can be pulled together to deliver large-scale physical improvements across an entire community. We also heard from a local resident about their experience living in the area and how the scheme has improved the estate and her family’s wellbeing.

It is part of our work to ensure future funding programmes bring maximum benefits to communities in the North, by linking up government officials with NHC members to share what’s happening on the ground.

A big thank you to all those involved!

NHC’s Lynda Redshaw awarded MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list

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Huge congratulations to our Lynda Redshaw who has been awarded an MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list!

Executive Assistant Lynda has been the backbone of the NHC for 34 years, helping us grow from a team of three to a team of 40+. She is a role model and a prolific charity fundraiser who has raised over £60,000. More recently she’s been instrumental in setting up the Unlocking Success Bursary and has been a big part in its success.

Lynda turned 70 last year but continues to work beyond retirement age and has demonstrated courageous commitment to her role in the face of difficult personal circumstances.

Our Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Lynda. Everyone at the NHC is absolutely over the moon for her. She is a well-loved colleague and someone who has made a tremendous contribution to the NHC and the social housing sector in the North.”

Lynda is absolutely delighted – and still in shock – about receiving the award. She is looking forward to attending the ceremony with her family.

I’m sure you’ll join us all at the NHC in offering your congratulations to Lynda!

Apply now for funded place on the GEM programme

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We’re once again partnering with the GEM programme to offer a free place on their housing leadership development programme for someone who lives in social housing and works for an NHC member organisation.  The programme offers a combination of face-to-face events, mentoring and the opportunity to achieve a CIH Level 4 qualification.

The funded place is part of our bursary scheme which supports people living in social housing with training and employment opportunities. We first partnered with the GEM programme to offer this opportunity last year, as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations.

Director of Member Engagement Kate Maughan said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the GEM Programme again to offer this funded place. I’ve been involved in the programme as a mentor and several NHC colleagues have taken part. It’s been fantastic to see how they’ve grown and developed and the range of opportunities and experiences they’ve had as part of the programme.”

Participants in the GEM Programme have access to:

  • six housing-themed learning events called GEM Shacks, hosted in person across the U.K. and Ireland. These usually happen over two days.
  • resources to complete a CIH Level 4 qualification
  • mentor support and coaching
  • a vibrant network of upcoming housing professionals, subject experts and leaders

The prospectus for the 2026 GEM Programme is here.

To find out more about how your organisation can put forward an employee who lives in social housing, please email Ross Price at the GEM programme by 31st July . Applications will need to submitted by Friday 26 September, with the programme starting in January 2026.

Temporary Accommodation Crisis Discussed at NHC Member Event

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NHC Members were brought together in Leeds to discuss the increasing challenge of temporary accommodation, and how existing good practice may point a way forward.

In June the NHC brought members together to discuss the increasing temporary accommodation crisis in the North of England. The session was organised in response to member feedback highlighting rising homelessness and greater reliance on often inadequate temporary accommodation. In bringing together the NHC’s registered provider and local authority members, the session underlined both the organisational and human impact of the issue. Offering hope, the afternoon also highlighted the new thinking and opportunities for collaboration that was helping areas across the North to reduce the use of temporary accommodation, and where it was necessary ensure stays were as safe and short as possible.

Data from the latest edition of the Northern Housing Monitor provided context for the meeting. High housing costs and a lack of genuinely affordable housing has created across the northern regions a distinct form of housing poverty.  With many northern households shut out from housing affordability and therefore housing security, this housing poverty manifested in households having to squeeze already limited spending and being particularly vulnerable welfare benefit reductions and interest rate spikes.

A lack of affordability in private tenures continues to be a key driver of homelessness and housing waiting lists have continued to expand. Unsurprisingly, the use of temporary accommodation is increasing sharply and is becoming a huge financial strain. There were 12,660 northern households in temporary accommodation by mid-2024, within these households were 14,210 children.

Attendees were clear that reductions in funding for homeless services had created substantial challenges for local authorities and partners. A lack of capacity and resource had created a process reliant on temporary accommodation. The reality for many was a well-meaning but ultimately reactive service that created new inefficiencies. With Local Authorities needing to prioritise urgent need, little resource was available for preventative measures, better management of accommodation, or move-on planning.

Despite this, the day showed the efforts NHC members were making to improve services and outcomes for households. Liverpool City Council described how they were undertaking a significant transformation programme designed to shift from a crisis driven response to a prevention focussed service. Although already underway, this work has been supported by the Government’s public service reform agenda. Here, the local authority has received support from the Government to undertake a ‘test and learn pilot’ aimed at reducing rising costs and inefficiencies in how temporary housing is provided. The pilot is proving valuable in providing capacity to get to grips with data, providing a framework to monitor and improve services week-on-week, and instilling a team effort mentality that drew in wider teams and stakeholders.

Leeds City Council were undertaking a similar process. A value placed on critical self-reflection had supported officers to ‘not stand still’ and instead look to continuously adapt to context. This had led to a reorganisation of team resource and a renewed approach to performance management. The outcome was an improved customer pathway built around face-to-face contact in neighbourhood settings, a more appropriate use of digital services, and early advice. Seeking to maximise housing options, the local authority had also invested in outreach to the Private Rented and social housing sectors. Initiatives included a Rent Guarantee Scheme, an expanded Landlord Support Team, and a responsive re-housing scheme with registered providers.

This kind of innovative approach to collaboration was also exemplified by Bury Council and Irwell Valley Housing Association. Using funding to reduce the use of B&B’s, a partnership had been created whereby previously void properties were refurbished and let to homeless families on a minimum 5yr lease. Entering on starter tenancy agreements, the option was available for the household to ultimately remain in the property. If they chose not to, the property remained ring-fenced for temporary accommodation. With collaboration between the local authority and registered provider extending to clear agreements around wraparound support, the initiative was seen as long-term solution with housing evolving from temporary to long term housing.

The session was an opportunity to hear about promising good practice but also reflect on issues which need further attention. Attendees agreed that investment was needed in supported housing to ensure those with complex needs are appropriately helped. Partnerships of the type between Irwell Valley and Bury Council were still needed to avoid registered providers facing additional mental health or community safety issues without support. Finally, without action on Local Housing Allowance rates, many households would continue to face the risk of homelessness.

Temporary Accommodation Crisis in the North was held in partnership with Campbell Tickell and Devonshires as part of the national Temporary Accommodation Network.

For further information or to discuss your own work in relation to any of the themes above, contact Liam Gregson, Senior Engagement Manager (Devolution and Place Lead) – liam.gregson@nhc.org.uk