Section: Research & Surveys

CIH Survey Calls for Major Rethink

A new survey of Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) members indicated that there needs to be a rethink on the priority given to extending home ownership and a clearer commitment to increasing the supply of new social housing.

The survey, called Power, Politics and Policy, was launched on 29 May 2007, and closed on 18 June 2007. The interim results, based on a sample of 760 responses from CIH members, gave a snapshot of opinion from housing professionals on the state of some of the UK's political parties, their leaders and policies.

Despite the present affordability crisis and high levels of political debate and public interest, the survey suggests many housing professionals remain unconvinced about the housing policies advocated by the UK's main political parties.

CIH members indicated that more should be done in the following key policy areas:

In relation to devolved Government, there was optimism that the historic power sharing agreement in Northern Ireland would result in improved housing for communities (66%). Respondents were less convinced (33%) that the political arrangements resulting from devolution in Wales and Scotland would result in better housing policy.

In a straight choice between the three party leaders, 73% of respondents considered Gordon Brown most likely to deliver improvements in social housing.

The survey generated in excess of 550 questions, which CIH members wanted to put to government and opposition politicians to clarify many aspects of their housing policies. The lack of clarity in key policy areas was reinforced by a level of scepticism about the long-term priority that would be given to housing.

Research Into Careers for the Disabled

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is to embark on research that looks into ways to encourage housing organisations to support disabled people wanting to pursue a career in housing.

Earlier CIH research has indicated a good level of interest from employers and education centres in developing a new trainee scheme combining work experience alongside academic study. That project - called Positive Action for Disability - was funded initially with support from the Housing Corporation's Innovation & Good Practice Programme.

This latest research is employer-led and being funded by an Advisory Group of eleven housing organisations in partnership with CIH and its new consultancy, ConsultCIH. In the form of an on-line survey, it will investigate how the housing association sector could take positive action to support the career ambitions of disabled people.

The CIH believes the development of a new trainee scheme has considerable potential to support the recruitment and retention of new skilled people into the housing sector - a sector that is continuing to climb up the UK's ladder of political priorities. This view is echoed by the independent Employers' Forum on Disability, which identifies the business and ethical case for positioning disability as both a business and an equal rights priority.

It is estimated that there are 9.8 million disabled adults in the UK; and 85% of UK businesses are reported as experiencing difficulties in recruitment. The issue is even more relevant for housing organisations: 40% of households living in social housing have a family member who is disabled or who has a limiting illness, and disabled people are twice as likely to live in social housing compared to other tenures.

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Reporting on June 2007

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