James Brokenshire launches a new deal for social housing residents

A ‘new deal’ for social housing residents, as part of the government’s commitment to make a housing market fit for the future has been launched by Secretary of State for Communities Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP.

The social housing green paper aims to rebalance the relationship between tenants and landlords, tackle stigma and ensure that social housing can be both a safety net and springboard into home ownership.

Our green paper aims to start a national discussion to collect views on how to improve social housing, based around 5 core principles:

• A safe and decent home which is fundamental to a sense of security and our ability to get on in life.

• Swift and effective resolution so that when residents have concerns about the safety or standard of their home they see results.

• Empowering residents and ensuring their voices are heard so that landlords are held to account.

• Tackling stigma and celebrating thriving communities, challenging the stereotypes that exists about residents and their communities.

• Building the social homes that we need and ensure that those homes can act as a springboard to home ownership.

The proposals will empower residents to hold their landlords to account and give them the support they need to seek redress when things go wrong. A tougher regulator will help drive up standards and ensure social homes are well managed and quality places to live.

With the experiences of those living in social housing brought to the forefront following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, over 8,000 residents from across the country have shared their views of social housing as part of the government’s listening exercise.