94% Of Social Housing Providers Demand Improved Housing Policy

Independent research across 100 senior decision makers in social housing shows 94% believe the government needs to improve its housing policy – because present policy leaves them and the communities they serve at risk. Transformation specialist Civica releases the finding in a new report  ‘The Changing Landscape for Social Housing’ prepared in partnership with SOLACE and The CIH. Specifically, senior housing decision makers want policy to focus on a broader range of tenures beyond home ownership (65%) and to reduce or scrap the annual 1% rent cut entirely (49%). Priorities over the next 12 months are identified as the safeguarding of jobs (59%), cutting costs and driving efficiencies (57%), improving customer service and satisfaction (57%) and dealing with changing regulations and reforms (52%). Read more on 24housing.

Data Shows Rise In Tenant Complaints

The number of tenant complaints received by social landlords surveyed by benchmarking experts Housemark has steadily increased over the last three financial years. Research shows the average social landlord received 33 complaints per 1,000 homes managed in 2015/16. This figure, based on data from 83 social landlords from across Britain, has increased from 31 complaints per 1,000 homes in 2014/15 and from 27.6 in 2013/14. The figures were collected as part of a new exercise to collect data on customer service “in response to growing demand within the social housing sector” Housemark said. Read more on Inside Housing.