Social Housing Regulator Recognises Challenge of More Diverse Sector

Speaking at the NHF Conference, Regulation Committee Chair, Julian Ashby, highlighted the importance of regulation.  He called for a more tailored approach as the regulator’s remit expands to cover both for profit and not for profit Registered Providers, in what is an increasingly risky operating environment.  As a result, the HCA’s Regulatory Framework will need amendment to take account of different approaches – regulation needs to be tailored in order to achieve a comparable outcome.  The areas that will need amendment or elaboration include ringfencing and the consents regime.  Building on the regulator’s existing risk based approach he said: “This is a new and riskier world.  Social housing assets, and public value, are more at risk.  And failure of one provider will affect the sector as a whole.  So where providers fail to meet our standards or are at risk of doing so, we can and must act.  The sector needs the regulator to be on the case more than ever.”  Read more on the HCA website.