A brief poll was conducted in advance of the breakout rooms to provide a context for discussions. The poll results suggested that the greatest priority for 2021 is building safety followed by the affordable housing program and the second poll on the greatest disrupter had Brexit at the top followed by Covid-19.

The extent of challenges ahead was referred to by one group as ‘a perfect storm that’s coming ahead’.

The affordable housing programme and building safety was high on the agenda for each group.

One reported that on the affordable homes programme there was ‘a commitment from the clients and the commissioners in the room about wanting to deliver’.

Another reported that changes to shared ownership is a real concern given the increase in maintenance charges that providers will have to have despite having less equity. The need for more affordable and social rental properties seemed at odds with the government which is ‘chanelling more towards home ownership’.

Concerns were expressed in another group that ‘we don’t we don’t really know what standards are going to be within the industry’. This was having an impact for example on building at height where there was little appetite as things stand.

On Covid and Brexit one group emphasised the unknown ahead with the economic impact ‘given this being the worst downturn for well since records began’.  On Brexit the uncertainty was a concern ‘despite some positivity coming out of certain supply chains’.

Zero Carbon was discussed in two of the groups and one commented ‘I was surprised that it wasn’t in the top three poll concerns. But as a group we concluded that although it is a given it’s not such an immediate issue compared with other imminent challenges.’

Group Chairs:

• Caroline Compton James, Director of Strategy and Communication at Osborne and The Housing Forum Board Member
• Jamie Ratcliff, Executive Director for Business at Network Homes and Deputy Chair, The Housing Forum
• Helen Reiman, Partnerships Director, Wates Group and The Housing Forum Board Member
• Marc Baines, Managing Director at South East Consortium