BME Social Tenants Less Satisfied With Their Landlords Than Whites

In-depth analysis of the results of surveys by the Human City Institute with 6,500 social tenants over the last four years, supplemented by focus groups with more than 300 tenants, point to a ‘satisfaction gap’ between BME and white tenants. This gap varies by individual social landlord service element, across aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship, and within opportunities for resident involvement. The analysis found that, whereas 66% of whites are satisfied with the overall social landlord service, this falls to 59% for BME groups. The ‘satisfaction gap’ for repairs and maintenance is 6%. And for satisfaction with neighbourhoods, it’s 15%. See more on the Human City Institute twitter feed https://twitter.com/HumanCityInst/status/1070948847927595009

Decline In Living Standards For Social Housing Tenants

A third of social housing tenants have seen their standard of living decline in recent years as above-inflation increases have hit food, fuel and transport, a report by the Human City Institute (HCI) has concluded. The thinktank surveyed 6,500 social housing tenants across England and nearly a third (31%) said their standard of living had worsened in the past two years. Meanwhile 49% said there had been no change and 20% reported improvement. Download the report from the HCI website.

Right To Buy Extension Pilot Could Damage Supply In West Midlands

A West Midlands pilot of the Right to Buy for housing associations could add to stock pressures in the region, a new report warns. The report, which was authored by independent think tanks Futures Network West Midlands and the Human City Institute, argues that associations offering tenants the right to purchase their homes at a discount could lead to dwindling numbers of high quality social housing stock. Housing minister Gavin Barwell has said the West Midlands is a “strong contender” for a regional voluntary Right to Buy pilot for associations. Read more on Inside Housing.

Payday Loans Crackdown 'Will Hit the Poor' and Leave Families without Credit

A government crackdown on legal “loan sharks” will leave poor families without any access to credit, despite being unable to manage on their shrinking incomes. A study of the poorest families living in social housing in the Midlands, carried out by the Human City Institute think tank, found that the majority were in some form of debt. More than half (55 per cent) owed more than £1,000. The study found that benefit cuts, a slow job market and cuts in emergency hardship payments had made poor families more likely to depend on short-term loans. Read more on the Independent website.

Make Half a Million Social Homes into Co-Operatives

A new report by Birmingham-based thinktank the Human City Institute proposes to extend mutualism across the housing sector, through the creation of more co-operatives in existing social housing stock and community land trusts. The report found co-operative housing has higher levels of housing management performance and tenant satisfaction, and is more effective in building social capital and creating stronger communities. Co-operative housing accounts for between 5%-15% of housing in Europe, but in the UK this figure is only 1%. The report recommends bringing the UK's figure more in line with Europe through the mutualisation of at least 500,000 social homes. Download the report from the Human City website.