Government launches social housing reform panel

The government has launched a resident-led panel to influence plans to reform social housing.

Members of the Social Housing Quality Residents will meet to share their experiences with ministers and inform policy change.

The intention is for residents' voices to be heard during the government's social housing reforms.

The announcement follows events in Rochdale, where Rochdale Boroughwide Housing were stripped of new taxpayer funding for housing, following the death of Awaab Ishak. The Regulator of Social Housing is carrying out an investigation.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: "This government will not stand for any tenant being mistreated and we are acting to ensure they get the safe and decent homes they deserve.

"For too long, tenants have been denied a proper voice - this ends today. Our new residents panel will ensure that tenants are at the heart of reforms to social housing.

"I look forward to working with the panel to drastically raise the standard of social housing across the country."

One member of the panel, Emma from East of England said: "I would like to bring back the stronger relationships between tenants and their housing association.

"Quality of repairs has also become an issue, things being replaced for a lesser quality and the tenant is supposed to accept it in their home.

"Social landlords need to become more involved with their tenants and rebuild the fractured relationships."

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