In this long read, Martin Farley lays out what he thinks needs to be done to make housing truly affordable AND sustainable. Martin is a
Category: Research & Learning
History of Social Housing: Where Does Social Purpose Fit in?
Please do not get me wrong. The title might suggest I disagree with social purpose, which I do not. I wholeheartedly believe that social housing
Orbit pledges commitment to social suppliers with the launch of a new procurement platform
A new, innovative open access procurement platform has been launched by Orbit and Supply Change – a social procurement provider – to connect suppliers and buyers to deliver commercial value and social impact.
The new Social Supplier Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) allows buyers to source goods and services from suppliers who can deliver a quality service and a positive impact, such as social enterprises, charities and sheltered workshops.
Language Matters – The use of ‘vulnerable’ and other depowering phrases in housing
Society, including the housing sector, has a tendency to use words like ‘vulnerable’ as an umbrella term, and to use phrases like ‘giving a voice’ when talking about pepole who for some reason or another have been placed in a position of less power, by others, potentially them.
This article explores what the use of these phrases implies and which power imbalances it creates and upholds. It argues that the sector should stop using language like this and works towards an inclusive language that doesn’t contribute to maintaining power imbalances and stigmatising perceptions.
Assumption is the mother of all f*ck-ups – Key Digital Exclusion lessons from a prime-time hospital drama
More and more prime-time television series address everyday issues. From covid to Black Lives Matters, the last year has seen a surge in TV writers sharing their thoughts about the world and ‘the system’ through their series. New Amsterdam is one such series. A modern hospital drama. It has (and still is) addressing Covid and BLM in very (much needed) painful ways, and combined it in its latest episode with a focus on (effects of) digital exclusion. Dr Gaby Wolferink gives you the key lessons here.
Opinion: Dampen your Mould – The dire state of housing in the UK
The dire state of housing and the poor conditions in which many private rented sector, council and social housing tenants are living has been brought to the forefront yet again in recent weeks.
Good, because this needs to be addressed. SHM’s Dr Gaby Wolferink writes about her views and experiences and thinks about how sensor technology can and should be used to build better housing, fit for the 21st century, for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
HomeFinderUK Survey: 77% of homeless people will move out-of-area to avoid facing years in temporary accommodation, survey reveals
A brand new report published today undermines some of the negative assumptions about moving out-of-area and reveals that relocating long distance can be a valid housing alternative to years spent on a council
Why the 28-day move-on period for refugees needs to be extended
When a destitute asylum seeker arrives in the UK they are offered ‘Asylum accommodation’.
This accommodation could be anywhere within the UK and the asylum seeker does not get a choice of where they are located.
Katy Wood explores how this process works out in practice, and argues the standard 28-day move-on period should be extended.
Let’s Talk About Poverty
By: Hannah Absalom, @HousingHannah On Tuesday 16th March, a national conference was hosted by HQN and Hough Bellis called ‘Hard Times – the HQN Poverty
Homelessness and Covid-19. Utilising empty homes.
Local authorities have a duty under the Housing Act (Wales) 2014 to prevent homelessness and provide support for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
In 2015, homelessness legislation introduced new duties and powers for local authorities to prevent homelessness for anyone at risk within 56 days.
Amy McMurray explores the possibility of utilising empty home to alleviate homelessness challenges.
Actionable Insights into Income and Health Inequalities
We know that difficult financial situations and poor health are interrelated. However, it is not clear how the circumstances of people’s lives affect the link between finances and health. During six months, we followed the everyday lives of 21 individuals living on low incomes and managing multiple long-term conditions.
Rapid responsive action to Covid and the need for a forward looking and long-term response.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has prompted rapid responsive action from both the UK government and the devolved nations across the United Kingdom. The national lockdown and the subsequent regional lockdowns that have occurred since March 2020 have placed restrictions and conditions on all citizens that has required people to stay home, however, this has only highlighted the urgent need for people to live in safe and suitable accommodation, write Emma Parcell
Book Extract: Safe as Houses
By: Stuart Hodkinson @stuhodkinson We are pleased to publish an extract of Stuart Hodkinson’s book Safe as Houses. In this book, Stuart uncovers the story
Getting comfortable with discomfort. An essential first step in poverty work
Hannah Absalom, a former practitioner of 18 years and now PhD student at the University of Birmingham and co-founder of SHM writes about how the housing sector can best approach furthering their understanding of poverty and their role in recognising, alleviating and preventing it.
In this article Hannah focusus on the first step, which is for people to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable about poverty.
Tough decisions: juggling strategic choices
Ellen Damlica is an Associate at Penningtons Manches Cooper and specialises in social housing governmance.
This article is intended to facilitate discussion around key decisions that need to be made after 2020 and going into 2021 at Board and executive level, and to assist in identifying which matters are the ’glass balls’ and which are the ’plastic balls’.
Major social housing survey from Alertacall identifies gaps in digital engagement
Leading technology provider Alertacall has published the results of its new survey examining digital engagement trends in social housing, providing a snapshot of the importance of technology for residents throughout the COVID crisis.
This article shares the key findings.
Social Housing Tenants – Influence Your Future. Call for Independent Research Participation.
PhD Researcher and SHM co-founder Hannah Absalom asks tenants for their opinions on new ways of delivering services to tenants.
The anonymised findings will be used to contribute to academic research, and also a findings report to the sector.
The aim is to ensure tenants influence the future of services that are ultimately supposed to benefit them.
Are We Missing the Point? Poverty and Social Purpose. New Perspectives from Psychology.
It seems today that poverty is a dirty word. We tend to use technical sounding terms like SES (Social Economic Status) and talk about the
My Covid Reality
By: Shirley Widdop @Psychologicsal First published on Covid Realities on 10 July 2020 The United Kingdom (UK) is the 5th richest nation on Earth. Fortunately,
Celebrating Education – Collaborating with Cardiff Metropolitan University.
We are pleased to work with Cardiff Met’ University, showcasing a series of writings from Housing Studies students on the topic of social purpose and
Sustainability in Social Housing
Can you define sustainability? It is one of the most confusing words of our time, and also one of the most important ones – if
Why it’s never only just about housing
By: Caroline Duvier @caroline_duvier Over the past half a year or so, I started to read a lot of non-fiction books concerned with our current
Is your SHA (in) a Strip Club?
By: Dr Gaby Wolferink @drgabywolferink STRIP CLUBS? WHAT? ON A SOCIAL HOUSING WEBSITE? WHAT? WHY? Have I got your attention? I hope so! When I
Domestic abuse ‘move on’ service reports that 60% of movers come from a BAME background
Homefinder UK’s Revive project highlights the lack of understanding by many statutory and voluntary agencies about the specific ethnic, religious and cultural concerns facing women fleeing domestic
Nudge Nudge, Think Think! Contribute to cutting edge social housing research.
What is Nudge? Nudge burst into the public consciousness in 2008 with Thaler and Sunstein’s book called, well, ‘Nudge, improving decisions about health, wealth and