The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), which represents skilled professionals working in housing, has responded cautiously to the government’s consultation on social housing reform, Local decisions: a fairer future for social housing.

CIH stresses that the proposals as currently described risk stigmatising social housing tenants further and weakening communities.

CIH supports in principle a flexible approach to tenure which includes fixed-term tenancies where appropriate, however there are a number of areas of serious concern:

• a minimum period of two years is too short for a fixed term tenancy; it will create instability in households and communities and lead to additional administrative and management costs which may have no benefit for the customer
• the proposals on flexible tenancies do not tackle the underlying need for a greater choice of housing options in the wider housing market at a price which households can afford
• social housing should not be exclusively used as part of the welfare system where people must leave when their lives change. CIH proposes an approach for future tenants in which the terms of a tenancy, rather than the overall right to live there, could be altered to recognise changes in an individual’s circumstances: this would not impact negatively on individual security or affect stable communities

CIH accepts that proposals to introduce affordable rents at up to 80 per cent of market rents have the potential to help finance new, much-needed homes; but does not believe it is the right approach to funding new social homes.


CIH Chief Executive Sarah Webb said: "CIH is positive about creating a modern and flexible approach to social housing and our sector is ready to make the best use of the potential that new flexibilities offer. However, housing professionals, who are committed to serve the interests of tenants and communities and will see the immediate impact of these reforms, have expressed concerns about the current proposals. We are clear that the emphasis must be on offering tenants positive and supported choices to improve their housing options and to support the development of sustainable communities, rather than on enforcing particular behaviour or eligibility. And without turning our attention to the wider housing market, we will fail to address the housing problems faced by many households."

(CD/KMcA)