A government policy action team has called for a marked improvement in the standard of housing management on the poorest estates
The Social Exclusion Unit's housing management team which has been criticised for being "conservative" has urged the sector to raise its game to tackle the worst neighbourhoods.

Government will "exhort" councils to "review fundamentally" housing management. The report calls on councils and housing associations to increase the recruitment of staff with professional qualifications.

Other recommendations include backing intensive management solutions such as concierges and super-caretakers.

It strongly endorses the use of call centres and claims that the use of "new technology as a vital tool in providing housing management."

The team also calls for a review of current allocations policy based on need, and questions whether prioritising housing need can be squared with supporting sustainable communities. But this finding is one of a number classed as "of lesser importance."

Eight key recommendations form the core of the report:

  • 1 The importance of good housing management must be recognised.
  • 2 Social landlords must recognise that housing management problems often do not have simple housing management solutions. They must develop links to deliver joined up solutions with other service providers and community organisations.
  • 3 Good, intensive housing management must be supported through financial mechanisms.
  • 4 Good practice must be made available to housing managers.
  • 5 Training and professional standards must be raised.
  • 6 On-the-spot housing management should be introduced where need has been identified.
  • 7 Local authorities and RSLs must tackle social exclusion suffered by black and minority ethnic communities through a change of culture in core housing management.
  • 8 The work of the team should feed into that of other teams and the team should reconvene at regular intervals to assess progress.

Source

Housing Today