Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

WHQS 2023 is now live. What have you and your organisation been doing in terms of implementation, and is it working? WHQS 2023 has placed another raft of standards on social landlords to meet. So, what have you and your organisation been doing in terms of getting to grips with implementation to ensure that you meet all of the deadlines set out in the new standard? Are there some areas where you are struggling? Could you learn from others? This webinar aims to bring together housing professionals from organisations across Wales, together with Welsh Government officials, to learn some early practice lessons from implementation. Book your free member place at: https://lnkd.in/eNhCZdhT

As the membership body representing around 1,000 members in Wales, CIH Cymru places great emphasis on reflecting the lived experience of frontline housing professionals to key decision-makers, which is why we regularly undertake snapshot surveys.   This survey, the biggest we've carried out since the pandemic, provides valuable insight into the impact of funding and policy decisions on the ability of our members to deliver on our shared ambitions with Welsh Government.   It is clear from the survey responses that housing professionals, from across Wales, reflect recent concerns raised by the Auditor General around the additional investment needed to reach our shared goal in terms of increasing the supply of affordable housing, the key driver in our view in terms of ending our structural housing emergency.   ➡ 71 per cent of all respondents say they are not confident or unsure that the Welsh Government’s 20,000 new low-carbon homes at social rent target will be met. ➡ 65 per cent of respondents from a housing association are not confident or unsure the target will be met.   ➡ 82 per cent of respondents from a local authority are not confident or unsure the target will be met.    A lack of funding, coupled with increased Welsh Government expectations of the housing sector around supply, decarbonisation and new homelessness legislation were the main reasons cited for increasing pressures on housing teams, through increased workloads and reducing workforce resources, with some respondents stating that services are now at “breaking point”. Read the full survey results here - https://shorturl.at/h9DsN But here are some thoughts from our CIH Cymru Director in the Western Mail about how Welsh Government should respond ⬇ ⬇ ⬇

Politicians from all sides tell us that a safe, affordable and sustainable place to call home is a basic human right......except it's not! But it can be done! It's been done in other countries, and today #BacktheBill coalition partners @CIHCymru @TaiPawb @ShelterCymru set out a route map to incorporation of a right to adequate housing into Welsh law. Let's not say it is too difficult! Let's not say there's not enough money! Let's all say we agree that a safe, affordable and sustainable place to call home is a basic right for everyone, and that our collective journey starts with the legislation to incorporate that right into law! Find out how to join us on the journey along our route map by clicking on the link below. https://lnkd.in/ePrMUrce

In Wales the pursuit of adequate and affordable housing stands as a paramount challenge that directly shapes the lives of individuals, families, and communities. While housing policy is devolved, we at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) recognise that general elections transcend legislative boundaries, offering the unparalleled opportunity to engage with vital Westminster policies that are intricately connected to the housing fabric of our nations. The interplay between our efforts in the devolved housing arenas and the broader policy context of the United Kingdom is undeniable. The decisions made in Westminster reverberate across our lands, influencing essential domains such as affordability through social security, the net zero framework, and our nation's spending power through Barnett consequentials. As a UK-wide and international housing organisation, CIH is uniquely placed to draw on our members’ collective experience and develop this call to action that goes beyond geographical boundaries. And with this manifesto and election toolkit we will use our collective power to influence the trajectory of interrelated policy in and beyond our immediate jurisdictions. We want to amplify the voice of every member, regardless of where they reside, and help to develop a more equitable and sustainable housing system that is built upon solid foundations. Housing is not merely about bricks and mortar; it is about forging the bedrock of our communities, fostering affordability and the low-carbon agenda, and therefore safeguarding the future of every person and generations yet to come. The issues we face are complex and multifaceted. From worsening affordability to the pressing need to combat climate change, our mission is ambitious, but it is not insurmountable. Through policy reform, innovative solutions, and a commitment to collaboration, we can catalyse the transformation we seek. Together, we can leverage this electoral moment to reshape the discourse on social security, amplify the aspiration of our nations, and pave the way for a better, more sustainable future for all.

Statement on behalf of ‘Back the Bill’ partners on Green Paper (right to adequate housing and fair rents) summary of responses - April 2024 We welcome the publication of the summary of responses to the Green Paper, which takes us a step closer to legislative reform in Wales. In our submission, we highlighted the need to de-couple fair rents and a right to adequate housing (RTAH) in order that they are considered on their own merits and, in particular, the concept of a right to adequate housing can be fully explored. While there are a number of constructive contributions around a right to adequate housing, we believe the framing of the Green Paper misunderstood the context of the RTAH and the obligations that Welsh Ministers have in relation to the UK being a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This confusion is further compounded by combining two diverse policies which, in our view, risks undermining a full exploration of the two concepts. The summary of Green Paper response has highlighted the significant discrepancy between them, with responses to fair rents significantly out-numbering those on housing adequacy. It remains our position that a right to adequate housing and fair rents should be considered separately at White Paper stage. Moving ahead, we look forward to continuing to make the case for positive change, using our extensive evidence base and research, to ensure that everyone in Wales can, over time, have a home that is safe, suits their needs and one they can afford. Shelter Cymru Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru #BackTheBill #RightToHousing

Are you a busy social housing Board member? We're running a UK policy snapshot for CIH members on 25 April with speakers from each nation, chaired by our very own Gavin Smart. Find more information and book your free member place at https://lnkd.in/ewWncb5i

Building better boards - a housing policy snapshot. The past few years have been extremely testing for the housing sector, with more challenges on the horizon. So, how can you and your boards play a pivotal role in navigating this? Join us for our next Building Better Boards session to hear the headline predictions from CIH policy experts across the UK. With a general election on the horizon, they'll be sharing their insight on the current state of the nation(s), key policy and legislative changes, and the role of boards in helping organisations to manage the demands, opportunities and challenges ahead.  Book your free place at: https://lnkd.in/evwAy7wZ

We look forward to working with the new First Minister @vaughangething as he seeks to deliver his vision for a fairer Wales. We believe that now is the time to be ambitious by making housing the foundational mission for Government: https://bit.ly/3wVW8cs