In this episode, I speak with Jakia Begum, a determined social housing activist and tenant at Tower Hamlets Community Housing, who’s refusing to stay silent.

Jakia moved into her flat only to be hit with sky-high heating costs outsourced to a third party. From concierge charges to CCTV fees, estate warden costs and service charges for services not received, she found herself paying more and more — and getting less and less.

So, she did what many wouldn’t - she knocked on doors, formed a resident action group, and started demanding answers.

Jakia takes us through her fight — from official complaints to submitting a Section 22 request, only to be handed incomplete or misleading accounts. Even when invoices were provided, like so many residents across the UK, the figures made no sense.

She talks candidly about the emotional toll, the impact on her family, and the sheer stress of being pushed into a First-Tier Tribunal process — just to get a fair deal.

This is an honest conversation between two people who’ve lived it. We talk about accountability, broken systems, and what must change so that "affordable housing" actually means affordable.

Those of you who want to really hear the voice of tenants - here it is.

Because this is your sector — but these are our homes.

#HousingSector #SocialHousing #TenantVoice #ServiceCharges #HousingJustice #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #AccountabilityInHousing #TowerHamlets #HousingTribunal #Section22 #HousingActivist #TenantRights #HousingPodcast

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In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked issue of furniture poverty with Claire Donovan, Director of End Furniture Poverty. Claire discusses the profound impact of lacking essential household items—such as beds, cookers, and washing machines—on individuals and families across the UK. With over 6 million people affected, including 26% of social housing tenants, the consequences are far-reaching, affecting health, education, and overall well-being.

Yet, the solution seems so simple—so why aren't all housing associations knocking on her door, desperate to ensure that beds are in bedrooms and cookers are in kitchens? Let's end furniture poverty today! Let’s ensure that every child has a bed to sleep in, every parent can cook in a kitchen, and every unit, scheme, and piece of stock can truly be called a home.

Claire highlights innovative solutions like furnished tenancies and the Furniture Flex scheme, which offer flexible, low-cost options for tenants and landlords alike. These initiatives not only improve living standards but also demonstrate significant cost savings to the public purse, including reductions in NHS, social care, and housing-related expenses.

Join us as we explore how addressing furniture poverty is not just a moral imperative but also a practical strategy for sustainable housing solutions.

https://endfurniturepoverty.org/

#FurniturePoverty #EndFurniturePoverty #HousingSector #SocialHousing #HousingSolutions #AffordableHousing #HousingForAll #HomesNotHouses #FurnitureForAll #SocialJustice #SupportTenants

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In this episode of The Housing Sector Podcast, I am joined by Suz Muna, Secretary of the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC), to discuss the critical need for a National Tenants and Residents Union. With grassroots groups facing significant challenges in offering residents the legal support they need, Suz outlines how a union could empower tenants and residents nationwide.

Key topics include:

• The barriers faced by small tenant groups and the importance of union support
• How a union could provide legal advice and funding for tenants facing housing disputes
• The impact of a union on national advocacy and connections to MPs
• The power of a united voice in the fight against escalating rent and service charges
• The role of a union in challenging the financial influence of large housing associations

Find out more here:
 https://shaction.org/a-national-tenants-and-residents-union/

SHAC is also running a survey to assess how housing issues are affecting residents in the workplace—take part here: https://shaction.org/housing-in-the-workplace-survey/

Don't miss out on this conversation about how tenants can unite for stronger advocacy, legal support, and a fairer housing system.

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 #TenantsRights #TenantUnion #SocialHousing #HousingJustice #ResidentsVoice #HousingAdvocacy #LegalSupport #TenantPower #HousingAssociations #GrassrootsSupport #AffordableHousing #RentCrisis #ServiceCharges #TenantSolidarity #HousingIssues #LegalAdvice #SHAC #NationalUnion #TenantsUnite #HousingReform #CommunitySupport #SocialHousingCampaign

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In this episode, I sit down with Paul Kershaw to discuss the evolving role of housing associations in the UK. We delve into the shift from housing staff who once had a deep humanistic approach to tenants' needs, to an increasingly corporate structure driven by financial interests and investors.

Paul sheds light on how the tenant’s voice seems to have been lost in this shift, with board meetings now focused more on financial performance than on improving services for residents.

Key topics include:

The Impact of Investor Allegiance: How housing associations are prioritising the needs of investors over those of tenants, leading to a disconnect in board meetings and a lack of focus on resident concerns.

Ongoing Industrial Action: We discuss the ongoing strike at Livv Housing Group, as detailed by Unite the Union, with companies linked to union-busting tactics named and shamed.

Financial Health vs. Tenant Welfare: Are these organisations truly serving tenants, or are they focused more on securing profits?

Investment in Housing: Paul and I explore the role of investors such as BlackRock, and how housing associations are seen as a ‘safe investment’ — even as they invest in new properties using funds from tenants' service charges.

Case Study: Places for People and Mergers: The recent merger talks with South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA), a non-compliant organisation, raise fresh concerns about the direction of the sector.

What Happens if a Housing Association Fails?: If one goes under, what are the consequences for tenants, and how can we ensure long-term stability?

Returning to Tenant-Centred Services: We discuss the importance of reinvesting in frontline staff, and question how many people working in housing are tenants themselves.

#HousingSector #HousingPodcast #FollowingTheMoney #FinancialTransparency #HousingAssociations #Investors #TenantRights #DigitalMoney #FinancialGrowth #HousingCrisis #LiveLIVStrike #PlacesForPeople #HousingMerger #FinancialAccountability #HousingPolicy #PropertyInvesting #FinancialInvestment #SocialHousing #UKHousing #HousingSectorReform

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Housing Sector Podcast #31 – From Resident to CEO and Chair

In this episode, I sit down with Jennie Ferrigno BEM 😄  — a true trailblazer in UK social housing.

Jennie’s journey is rooted in lived experience. From her time as a housing association resident to becoming CEO and Chair of Red Kite Community Housing, she’s shown what real leadership looks like when it’s built on empathy, integrity, and courage.

Awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to housing, Jennie continues to champion tenant voice and challenge a sector that too often sidelines the very people it’s supposed to serve.

This conversation is a rare insight into what happens when residents take the lead — and why that matters now more than ever.

Subscribe for more real conversations that challenge the status quo and centre the people at the heart of housing.

https://youtu.be/BJRupVcayDk

#JennieFerrigno #HousingSectorPodcast #SocialHousingUK #TenantVoice #LeadershipInHousing #RedKiteHousing #BritishEmpireMedal #ResidentLedLeadership #UKHousing #HousingJustice #AffordableHomes #EmpowerResidents #HousingMatters #RealVoicesRealChange

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In this episode, we delve into the pressing issue of financial abuse within GreenSquareAccord. We highlight how increased service charges are not matched by improved services, the use of false figures, and the neglect of Section 22 obligations. We also discuss Ruth Cook's substantial pay rise amidst these challenges, and the broader implications for residents. Tune in as we explore how we can unite to hold GreenSquareAccord accountable, seek support, and address the lack of action from MPs and the housing ombudsman. It's time to stand together and demand change.

#GreenSquareAccord #FinancialAbuse #ServiceCharges #ResidentRights #Accountability #HousingIssues #Transparency #TenantSupport #Unity #GreenSquareAccordFail #HousingJustice #Advocacy #CommunityAction #Section22 #FalseFigures #ResidentsVoice #HousingOmbudsman #MPFail #DemandChange #togetherwecan 

https://gsa-website.files.svdcdn.com/production/documents/Publications/gsa-financial-statements-2024.pdf?dm=1739197924

https://shaction.org/service-charges/

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In episode 30 of the Housing Sector podcast, I sit down with housing activist Dan Bruce to discuss his ongoing battle with developers and warranty providers after purchasing a luxury apartment in Camden back in 2016. What should have been a dream home quickly turned into a financial and emotional nightmare when he discovered severe defects—including water leaks, structural issues, and an unsafe roof. Despite raising concerns, he found himself entangled in legal threats and facing the possibility of bankruptcy as warranty providers sought to take him to court instead of addressing the faults.

Dan has been vocal about the systemic failures in the housing sector, calling out politicians, including Labour leader Keir Starmer, for failing to take meaningful action on defective housing. His case is not unique—countless homeowners across the UK are facing similar struggles, left abandoned by a system that protects developers and warranty providers over residents. With mounting service charges and little legal recourse, many are trapped in unsafe and unsellable homes.

In this episode, we expose how regulatory failures and government inaction are allowing developers to profit at the expense of homeowners. We discuss the wider implications for the housing sector, including the risk of a large-scale building safety crisis if these issues remain unresolved. It’s time to hold those in power accountable and demand real reform.

#BuildingSafety #HousingCrisis #DefectiveNewBuilds #HousingScandal #HomeownersRights #HousingSectorPodcast #BuildingRegulations #PropertyNightmare #LeaseholdScandal #GovernmentAccountability

https://x.com/dannybster

https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/24839063.camden-flat-owner-slams-labour-inaction-building-reform/

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-bought-north-london-house-34450677

https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/i-bought-camden-apartment-800k-28486839

https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/24626001.camden-man-wants-keir-starmer-act-defective-housing/

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In Episode 29 of the Housing Sector Podcast, I sit down with Elizabeth Taylor, former Engagement and Policy Lead for TPAS Cymru, to discuss one of the most overlooked yet fundamental aspects of social housing: flooring.

For many tenants, receiving the keys to a new home also means stepping into a bare, concrete-floored space, with the added burden of sourcing and affording flooring themselves. But should this be the case? We unpack:

• The human impact: how lack of flooring affects residents’ well-being, finances, and living conditions.
• Environmental concerns: why removing perfectly usable flooring leads to unnecessary landfill waste.
• Policy inconsistencies: how some housing providers are now piloting flooring-included tenancy models, while others still strip homes bare.
• The case for change: how a more pragmatic, sustainable, and tenant-focused approach could improve outcomes for all.

With councils like Carmarthenshire pioneering change and research from Longleigh Foundation reinforcing the case for flooring as an essential, not a luxury, we ask—should social housing providers rethink their stance?

Tune in for a compelling discussion on why what's underfoot should never be overlooked.

#HousingSectorPodcast #SocialHousing #TenantRights #HousingPolicy #SustainableHousing #FairHousing

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In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I’m joined by Insley Ettienne, CEO of CoSil Solutions, to explore the critical role of mediation in housing disputes. As service charges continue to rise and disrepair issues escalate, the relationship between housing providers and residents is becoming increasingly strained.

Far too often, housing associations resort to costly, time-consuming legal action when disputes arise — a move that not only damages their reputation but also erodes trust with residents. Mediation, on the other hand, offers a far more constructive path. It enables both parties to reach mutual resolutions without the hostility of court proceedings, ultimately saving time, money, and relationships.

We discuss:
 ✅ Why housing associations should prioritize mediation over litigation.
✅ The financial implications of repeated court actions and why housing providers can’t afford to keep going down this route.
✅ How entering mediation early could salvage tenant-provider relationships, preventing long-lasting animosity.
✅ The role of neutral mediation services, like those offered by CoSil Solutions, in facilitating fair outcomes.

At a time when service charge disputes, disrepair claims, and legal confrontations are on the rise, the need for housing associations to find alternative dispute resolution methods has never been clearer. The question is — why aren’t they embracing mediation more readily?

This is a must-listen for housing providers, tenant groups, and sector leaders who genuinely want to foster better relationships, reduce unnecessary legal costs, and shift towards a more resident-centered approach.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/insley-ettienne/
https://cosilsolutions.co.uk/
https://x.com/CosilSolutions
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071777479927#

#HousingSector #MediationInHousing #TenantRights #HousingDisputes #DisrepairResolution #HousingAssociations #AlternativeDisputeResolution #HousingSectorPodcast #CoSilSolutions #LegalCostsInHousing #ServiceChargeDisputes #FairHousingPractices #PropertyManagement #TenantVoice #SocialHousingReform #HousingOmbudsman #HousingProviderReputation #LegalActionPrevention #BuildingBetterRelationships #HousingSectorChange

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In Housing Sector Podcast Episode 27 with Lara Oyedele, Part 2, "Where It Might Have Gone Wrong and Where We Might Be Able to Fix It," we dive deep into the evolution of housing associations. From their roots as charitable organisations to their current transformation into financially-driven enterprises led by finance directors, we explore the history of social housing, the influence of figures like Octavia Hill, and key moments such as the BBC documentary Cathy Come Home and the Windrush Generation.

We discuss how housing associations, bogged down by red tape and bureaucracy, have lost some of their agility and responsiveness. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in housing, how shared ownership tenants should be treated as stakeholders but are often ignored, and how the rise of activist groups on social media is holding housing providers accountable in ways they haven’t had to face before.

We also talk about the critical issue of finance directors managing housing associations without always understanding the communities they serve, and the important work being done by figures like Kwajo in challenging the system. This episode highlights the need for change and asks how we can fix a system that’s become disconnected from its roots and the people it was meant to serve.

#HousingSector #SocialHousing #HousingAssociations #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #FinanceDirectors #SharedOwnership #ActivismInHousing #AIInHousing #OctaviaHill #CathyComeHome #WindrushGeneration #Shelter #HousingAccountability #CommunityFirst #Kwajo

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