Housing sector: appointments and changes

Housing sector: appointments and changes

by | Nov 15, 2024 | News

Regulator of Social Housing, Homes England, Hightown and A2 Dominion

Hightown Housing Association

Qadeer Kiani OBE has been elected Chair of the Board of Hightown Housing Association.

He succeeds Bob Macnaughton who held the position since 2017 and had been a Board member for nine years.

Kani has a wealth of experience which spans over 30 years in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. 

He now manages his own successful Housing and Management Consultancy Practice which he founded in 2007 to help social housing organisations to effectively manage their performance, people and partnerships. 

Kiani commented:  “I have a passion for customer driven housing services and making a difference to the lives of others. Therefore, I want to make sure that we can continue to deliver on Hightown’s mission of building homes and supporting people.”

 

A2 Dominion

A2 Dominion has appointed Graham Gregg as its new interim Director of Financial Services.

He joins from Sovereign Network Housing, where he served as Director of Accounting Services.  

Gregg has more than 20 years’ experience in the housing sector and has held a variety of finance leadership roles with Southern Housing and Network Homes.  

At A2Dominion, Gregg takes on responsibility for statutory financial reporting as well as operational finance.  

Tracey Barnes, Chief Finance Officer said: “Graham has vast experience of working in the housing sector and brings specialist knowledge of improving financial performance.  

“We look forward to working with Graham to help shape the finance function and deliver better results for our customers.”

Homes England 

Homes England has announced two leadership changes.

The government’s housing and regeneration agency has confirmed that Chair Peter Freeman and Chief Executive Peter Denton will be stepping down from their roles after four years leading the Agency together.

Peter Freeman will handover to his successor when the recruitment of a new Chair is completed later next year.

Peter Denton will be standing down from his role as Chief Executive in January 2025 with Eamonn Boylan joining the Agency as interim CEO from 15 January.

Matthew Pennycook, the Housing and Planning Minister said: ”On behalf of the government, I would like to thank Peter Freeman and Peter Denton for their leadership of the Agency over recent years. 

“Their efforts have been integral to reshaping Homes England into an effective national housing and regeneration agency that is increasingly focused on exemplary place-based regeneration and placemaking as well as new housing supply. I wish both Peters all the best in their future endeavours.”

Regulator of Social Housing

Two new non-executive directors (NEDs) have been appointed to the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister, has confirmed the appointment of John Liver and Robert Light.

The RSH undertakes regulation of providers of social housing registered with it, considering how landlords are delivering the outcomes set out in its regulatory standards.  

This is an important time for the RSH following the introduction of the strengthened consumer regulation regime in April 2024, which includes routine inspections of large social landlords. 

John Liver has been appointed as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee for a term of four years and Robert Light has been appointed as a NED for a term of three years with a focus on consumers.

Homes England release half-year housebuilding statistics

Homes England release half-year housebuilding statistics

by | Dec 30, 2023 | News

Published results show the number of housing starts on site and completions

11,530 new houses were started and 11,297 new homes were completed from housing programmes delivered by Homes England between 1 April and 30 September 2023.

The figures in the official housing statistics report represent a decrease in both starts and completions compared to the same period in 2022.

The report points out that while actual numbers were lower, a higher percentage of starts on sites were for affordable homes than in the same period last year (86% and 74% respectively).

It states this is largely due to the living cost and mortgage rate increases associated with an economic downturn that typically results in a fall in market housing demand, but an increase in affordable housing demand.

Therefore, while the number of starts and completions fall, the decline is less pronounced within affordable housing.

Of the affordable homes started in this period:

  • 1,058 were for Affordable Rent (a decrease of 51% on this period last year)
  • 1,182 were for Intermediate Affordable Housing Schemes, including Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy (a decrease of 32%)
  • 722 were for Social Rent (a decrease of 14%)

It’s worth noting the tenure is still to be confirmed for a further 6,965 of the affordable homes starts (an 11% increase on this figure for the same period last year). This is because providers are not contractually required to identify the tenure of a unit until completion.

Of the 11,297 housing completions from 1 April to 30 September 2023, 7831 were for affordable homes. For the same period in 2022, 7,905 affordable homes were completed – proportionally 2023 represents an increase (69% versus 64% respectively).

Of the affordable homes completed in this period:

  • 3,092 were for Affordable Rent – a decrease of 16% from the same period last year
  • 3,084 were for Intermediate Affordable Housing Schemes – an increase of 1%
  • 1,174 were for Social Rent – an increase of 4%
  • The remaining 481 were for First Homes – an increase of 1,103% on 40 First Homes completed in the same period last year.

Peter Denton, chief executive at Homes England, said: “The current economic downturn, with escalating interest rates, abnormal inflation, particularly in building material costs, and the growing cost of living crisis, have all had an impact on housing delivery.

“As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we have acted as quickly as we can, working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to introduce flexibilities and ease the strain on our partners. We know that these pressures are likely to continue, and we shall continue to work with our partners and central government to support the sector to keep building.

“Times are tough and I’d urge existing and potential partners from the building industry, home providers, developers, investors and local authorities to engage with the Homes England team. We are here to help unlock solutions to problems and pave the way for more homes and regenerated places where people want to live and thrive.”

National housing statistics are published twice a year showing half and full year starts and completions as part of planned national statistical releases.

The next release is full year starts and completions, which are due to be published in May or June 2024.

Homes England programmes are funded by central government to enable private registered providers, house builders, community groups and local authorities to deliver affordable housing.