The Housing Sector Podcast

Housing Sector Podcast #72 - Blame the Victim

In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I speak with Stephen Day about building safety, institutional candour, resident campaigning, and what happens when people raising serious concerns become the target instead of the issues themselves. We discuss: *  post-Grenfell fire safety concerns  *  compartmentation failures and remediation disputes  *  PAS 9980 and watered-down remediation standards  *  accusations of harassment against campaigners  *  councils, developers, and accountability  *  the culture of “deny, attack, reverse victim and offender”  *  why residents increasingly feel silenced rather than heard  The conversation focuses heavily on the ongoing situation at Royal Artillery Quays and the wider questions facing the housing sector nearly a decade after Grenfell Tower fire. Follow, share, and visit housingsector.co.uk — because the more people who understand what’s really going on, the harder it becomes to ignore. https://substack.com/home/post/p-197129987 https://www.businessinsider.com/grenfell-fire-expert-colin-todd-disabled-people-2022-2 #HousingSector #BenJenkins #StephenDay #Grenfell #BuildingSafety #CladdingScandal #FireSafety #SocialHousing #PAS9980 #ResidentVoice #HousingPodcast #TenantRights #Accountability #Leasehold #RoyalArtilleryQuays #HousingCrisis Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366630/support]

Housing Sector Podcast #71 The Decant Trap

In Housing Sector Podcast #71, I speak with Mark Hughes from Southwark and Muhammad Khan from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea about growing concerns around the use of decants within social housing. The discussion explores allegations that temporary decants are increasingly being used in ways that leave residents permanently displaced from their homes. Mark shares his personal experience involving disrepair, lock changes, temporary accommodation issues, and legal action, while Muhammad discusses concerns around unsuitable accommodation, resident mistrust following Grenfell, and fears surrounding regeneration and displacement. We also discuss: *  Temporary vs permanent decants  *  Repairs and disrepair in social housing  *  Resident trust and accountability  *  The impact on families and vulnerable tenants  *  Tenant participation and resident panels  *  PR, complaints handling, and governance culture  *  Awaab’s Law and housing obligations  This episode contains allegations and personal experiences discussed by the guests. Relevant councils will be offered a right of reply. Follow, share, and visit housingsector.co.uk — because the more people who understand what’s really going on, the harder it becomes to ignore. #HousingSector #SocialHousing #HousingPodcast #Decant #TenantRights #CouncilHousing #Disrepair #HousingCrisis #AwaabsLaw #Southwark #RBKC #Grenfell #HousingAssociation #ServiceCharges #BenJenkins Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366630/support]

Housing Sector #70 The Landlord’s Trap

In Housing Sector Podcast #70, I speak to Richard Duvall, a landlord and tenant caught in a situation that highlights a growing issue within the housing system. After renting out his one-bedroom flat on a short-term agreement, Richard expected to move back in when the contract ended. Instead, nearly 18 months later, his tenant remains in place, paying little to no rent, while he continues to cover the mortgage, bills, and rent on another property. This episode explores the reality behind Section 21, court delays, and the gap between legal rights and real-world outcomes. It raises difficult questions about balance, where protections designed to support tenants may also be leaving some landlords financially exposed. With debt rising, court timelines stretching, and no clear resolution, this is a case that shows how the system can stall when it matters most. If the system is meant to protect both sides, what happens when it fails one completely? #HousingSector #BenJenkins #Landlords #Tenants #Eviction #Section21 #HousingCrisis #UKHousing #PropertyLaw #HousingJustice #CostOfLiving #CourtDelays #TenantRights #LandlordRights Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366630/support]

Housing Sector Podcast #69 – New Beginnings with Katie Joyce

In Housing Sector Podcast #69, I sit down with author Katie Joyce to discuss her debut novel New Beginnings — a fictional story grounded in real experiences from frontline homelessness services. Katie shares her journey from acting into working in hostels, shelters, and outreach during COVID, and the realities of supporting people facing homelessness, trauma, and mental health challenges. We explore the pressures staff face, the gaps in the system, and why burnout is so common in supported housing. We also discuss the writing process, turning lived experience into fiction, and how storytelling can help people feel seen in a sector that is often overlooked. This is a conversation about homelessness, frontline pressure, and the human stories behind the system. Print: https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Beginnings-Katie-Joyce/dp/1915905958/ Ebook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0GR6FWZDS/ Audiobook: https://open.spotify.com/show/2pOjmVyxXvLIbqYov1HI3T?si=yoaQRR2HRXeiL7M5caoMig  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366630/support]

Housing Sector Podcast #68 - Missing Invoices, Legal Threats and the Housing Playbook

In Housing Sector Podcast #68, I’m joined once again by Suz Muna from Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) to break down a case that goes right to the heart of what’s going wrong in the housing sector. We start with a shocking example involving Peabody, where residents uncovered that around half a million pounds’ worth of service charge costs had no supporting invoices. What makes this even more serious is that this wasn’t just poor record-keeping—it involved misleading both an MP and the Housing Ombudsman Service. From there, the conversation opens up into a much bigger issue: how service charge overcharging is impacting not just residents, but taxpayers as well. With housing benefit often covering these costs, the consequences extend far beyond individual households. We then move into the tactics being used when residents push back. From being labelled “vexatious” to facing legal pressure, communication restrictions, and intimidation, there is a growing pattern emerging across the sector. I share my own experience of being targeted through legal threats, including what’s known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and how these are being used to silence people raising legitimate concerns. We also discuss the wider culture within the sector, including the role of events, awards, and professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Housing, and whether these environments are helping drive improvement—or simply reinforcing the status quo. This episode is about more than one case. It’s about patterns, systems, and the reality many residents face when they speak up. The key message is simple: you are not alone. Whether it’s through SHAC, tenant groups, or informal networks, there is strength in numbers—and that may be the most important tool residents have. Follow, share, and visit housingsector.co.uk — because the more people who understand what’s really going on, the harder it becomes to ignore. #HousingSector #ServiceCharges #SocialHousing #TenantRights #HousingCrisis #SHAC #HousingOmbudsman #SLAPPs #Leasehold #SharedOwnership #Accountability #BenJenkins Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2366630/support]