HOW THE HOUSING SAFETY AND WELLBEING TASKFORCE IS PUTTING CULTURE CHANGE AT THE HEART OF FUTURE SKILLS

The housing sector is facing unprecedented pressure to deliver and reform. Tasked by the Government to rapidly deliver more homes, it is facing challenging targets to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s, whilst improving the efficiency and sustainability of its existing stock. This must be achieved whilst balancing the key responsibility of meeting regulatory compliance to ensure the safety of residents. One of the ways that the sector is seeking to share ideas, identify new solutions and deliver on these priorities is through the Housing Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce. This is an independent, sector-led initiative that is developing holistic approaches to delivering better, safer, and more sustainable homes. Aico, the European leader in home life safety, is one of the founding members. Tina Mistry, Relationships Manager at Aico, told The

House that the Taskforce is looking beyond just practical actions that housing providers can take. It is also exploring how the culture of the sector can best support change.

She explained why the adoption of a more holistic approach to skills will be critical for future success. and support on safety and wellbeing issues. We need to make sure that staff teams are equipped to do this.” Developing staff to deliver preventative safety and wellbeing strategies will achieve both social and economic goals. In addition to benefiting residents,

CEBR research suggests that preventative work will also deliver a saving to taxpayers by reducing the high costs associated with the impact of fires in people’s homes from £1.1 billion, to £134 million with protective measures in place. The ambition of the Taskforce goes much wider than safety issues. Another critical area of focus is finding ways to support the net zero transition for housing. “Delivering net zero housing as a whole (Homeowners, Social & Private sector) is o en seen only in terms of physical improvements to homes,” Mistry tells The House. “But just as important is how people live in those homes. We need to create whole staff teams that can engage communities and residents in a way that allows them to play their part in the fight against climate change.” Achieving this requires a holistic approach to skills, ensuring that all staff, from housing and letting agents’ officers to repairs and maintenance teams, have the knowledge and confidence to support tenants and residents. But if we get it right it is an approach that will ultimately save lives, improves the wellbeing and money, whilst also supporting the nation’s net zero ambitions

“Keeping people safe and improving the wellbeing in their homes is part of everybody’s core job,” she tells us. “A key part of that is making sure that whoever is dealing with tenants and residents can provide information, advice,