The Housing Hive

The Big Housing Round-Up: Challenges and Change Across the Sector

Introducing our special guests: * Paul Nicholson, Head of Business Development at London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham * Lauretta Rothery, Director of Communities at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust * David Thorpe, Director of Property Investment at Vico Homes * Lord Gary Porter CBE, Strategic Adviser to Prodo, supporting engagement with local government and the transformation of resident engagement and service delivery across the UK social housing sector 2025 was another defining year for the social housing sector. From regulatory changes and financial pressures to evolving resident expectations and the drive for digital transformation, housing providers continued to adapt at pace. Senior leaders from across the UK’s social housing landscape came together for a candid discussion on the sector’s biggest challenges, lessons learned, and priorities for 2026. The expert panel reflected on the key developments of the past year, shared insights from board-level decision-making, and explored what lay ahead for housing associations as they balanced resilience, innovation, and social purpose. Whether leading an organisation, shaping strategy, or delivering services on the ground, attendees gained valuable perspectives to help navigate the year ahead.

Countdown to Awaab’s Law – Compliance Readiness

Introducing our special guests: Mark Tasker, Customer Relations & Service Improvement Manager at Ongo Homes and Luke Beard, Assistant Director of Technical Services at ARK Consultancy Ltd Awaab’s Law comes into force in just four months — requiring all social landlords to investigate damp and mould within 10 working days, those deemed to be high risk to be made safe within 5 working days, emergencies must be investigated and actioned within 24 hours - reports must be provided to tenants within 3 working days, and if the property cannot be made safe, the landlord must offer an alternative arrangement. June’s Housing Hive explored what these timescales meant for service design, budgets, and governance. A panel of housing professionals shared how they prepared. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Webinar Overview 01:28 Context and Background of Arab's Law 03:51 Legal Requirements and Compliance 06:11 Challenges and Proactive Measures 07:41 Panelist Introductions 09:13 Ongo's Approach to Damp and Mold 21:11 Discussion on Data and Systems 26:24 Raising Standards for Safe Homes 27:03 Engaging with Residents for Better Communication 27:38 Successful Methods for Tenant Education 28:53 Community Voice and Feedback 29:16 Best Practices in Client Deployment 31:25 Digital Methods and Tenant Portals 32:58 Contractor Management Concerns 35:36 Addressing No Access Cases 40:20 Legislative Changes and Resource Impact 48:21 Final Thoughts and Future Sessions

Consumer Standards one year on: What impact is the regulatory regime having?

Introducing our special guests: * David Ripley, Stonewater COO * Grant Kennelly, Birmingham City Council Senior Housing and Modernisation Strategy Manager It’s been one year since the new consumer standards were introduced - a major milestone in the regulation of social housing. But what’s really changed? In May's Housing Hive session, we explore how the sector is responding to the new regime, what’s working, and what still needs to shift. Whether you're a housing leader, board member, or service delivery professional, this session offers valuable insight into how providers are adapting — and what the regulator is expecting next. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Prodo’s Housing Hive  00:10 Understanding Prodo's Mission and Services 00:33 The Importance of Digital Transformation 00:45 Introduction to the Housing Hive 01:02 Focus on Regulatory Changes 01:17 Insights from the First Year of Updated Standards 02:01 Key Themes from Recent Discussions 02:19 Regulatory Grading Insights 02:36 Challenges and Learnings from Inspections 05:03 Panelist Introductions 06:39 Discussion on Preparation for Inspections 10:23 Birmingham City Council’s Experience with Self-Assessments 19:50 The Role of Governance in Regulatory Compliance 23:52 Correlation Between CSM and Consumer Grading 26:32 Evidence Collection and Data Delivery 30:16 Challenges in Evidence Gathering 31:04 Embedding Customer Insight in Decision Making 34:00 Impact of Housing Stock on Satisfaction 37:55 Utilising Consumer Grading Findings 41:08 Reflections and Advice on Regulation 44:07 Conclusion and Future Sessions

Empowering Social Housing Through Data-Driven Decision Making

Introducing our special guests: * Daz Chauhan, Director at Knowledge Industries * Elishama Tizora, Head of Data and Business Intelligence at Great Places * Andreea Fard, Head of Digital, Data and Technology at Community Gateway The social housing sector is facing increasing pressure to enhance service delivery, optimise resources, and improve tenant outcomes. In response, data-driven decision making emerged as a transformative approach, enabling housing providers to harness the power of data analytics to inform strategy and operations. The Housing Hive explored the critical role of data in shaping the future of social housing, with a focus on three essential pillars: 1. Systems: Examining the technological infrastructure required to collect, analyse, and act on data insights. We will delve into best practices for implementing data systems that support efficient service delivery and performance monitoring, including the analysis of Tenant Satisfaction Measures, complaints, and repairs data. Additionally, we will explore how data can be leveraged to identify opportunities and build a business case for increased use of technology and digital services. 2. People: Highlighting the importance of building data literacy within teams. We will discuss strategies for empowering staff with the skills and confidence to interpret data, drive innovation, and enhance decision-making processes. 3. Culture: Addressing the need for a cultural shift towards data-informed practices. We will explore how to foster a mindset of continuous improvement and accountability, ensuring data becomes a cornerstone of organisational values. Attendees gained practical insights into using data to improve outcomes, boost efficiency, and deliver more responsive housing services. This session was aimed at leaders, data practitioners, and policymakers committed to driving change through data-led strategies. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to April's Housing Hive 00:42 Current Challenges in the Housing Sector 02:04 The Importance of Data Quality 04:15 Panelist Introductions 05:57 Discussion on Data Foundations 10:59 Assessing Data Maturity 15:43 The Role of External Data 18:32 Standardising Data Across the Sector 21:45 The Importance of Data Governance 24:47 Building Data Confidence in Teams 30:27 Prioritising Business Projects and Data Governance 31:52 Assessing Team Capability and Data Literacy 33:22 Challenges with KPI-Driven Cultures 37:25 Inspiration from Other Sectors 41:54 Making Data Stick: Culture and Governance 47:11 Demonstrating ROI and Data Strategy 53:34 Q&A: Social Value and Development Pathways 56:56 Final Takeaways and Next Steps

The State of Repairs in Social Housing - Navigating Rising Costs and Compliance in 2025

Introducing special guests: * Leon Storer, Director at Ark, formerly Director of Assets at Stonewater * John Ghader, CEO of Prima Group * Paul Mullis, CEO of DAMHA 2025 Inside Housing Repairs Tracker showed that housing providers in England spent a record £8.8 billion on repairs and maintenance in 2023-24 — £1 billion more than the previous year and a 63% increase since 2020-21. This rise stemmed from greater scrutiny on damp and mould, fire safety, and compliance-driven repairs, with upcoming regulations like Awaab’s Law set to impose legal deadlines for fixing hazards. Meanwhile, the Regulator introduced TSMs, requiring providers to improve repair response times and communication. With rising costs and limited resources, how can housing providers balance compliance, tenant expectations, and financial sustainability? This session explores recent repair trends, how providers are adapting, and strategies for navigating these challenges. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:26 Today's Topic: State of Repairs in Social Housing 02:00 Financial and Regulatory Challenges 04:42 Panelist Introductions 10:21 Discussion on Repairs and Maintenance 19:22 Impact of Regulatory Changes 30:28 Challenges in Customer Data Integration 30:48 In-House Repairs vs. Contractors 32:06 Social Value and Customer Focus 34:52 Cost and Efficiency of In-House Repairs 38:22 Impact of Cost of Living on Housing 39:23 Collaborative Approaches to Housing Issues 50:24 Data-Driven Decision Making in Housing 52:00 Sustainability and Future Planning 58:46 Conclusion and Future Webinars