The LGA has developed a new peer challenge to help stock-holding councils to improve their management of social housing, in the context of the expectations outlined in the charter for social housing residents: social housing white paper.
The LGA has developed a new social housing management peer challenge to help stock-holding councils to improve their management of social housing. It has been developed in the context of the charter for social housing residents: social housing white paper and this support offer is funded by UK Government. The peer challenge is intended to support councils to:
- Reflect on, receive feedback on and learn how to improve the service provided to social housing residents
- Assess readiness and plans for the new consumer regulation regime which includes embedding accountability to residents
- Identify and share best practice
The scope of the peer challenge can be modified to meet the specific needs of each council, and includes:
- Corporate strategy, governance and leadership
- Finance and capacity to deliver
- Safety in the home
- Performance and response to complaints
- Resident voice and engagement
- Housing and neighbourhood quality
- Home ownership
The peer challenge has been co-designed with the sector and will be delivered by a team of dynamic and experienced housing officers and member peers. The peers will act as critical friends to assess the strengths of the council and their partners and identify areas for improvement for the future. This peer challenge can be delivered on-site or as a hybrid peer challenge (minimum one day on-site), to be arranged according to the preferences of the participating council.
South Holland District Council participated in the pilot social housing management peer challenge in February 2022. You can see the full report about the pilot on their website.
How to get involved
To find out more about the peer challenge and to express your council’s interest in participating, please contact the LGA Principal Adviser for your region.
Are you interested in becoming a housing peer for the LGA?
The social housing management peer challenge will require additional officer and member peers with experience in delivering and managing social housing stock to support delivery.
Being a member of a peer challenge team provides a valuable experience in understanding another council’s housing service and identifying areas for potential improvement that can add value. On top of this, they provide a fantastic learning opportunity to work as part of a team of experienced housing professionals and to take away experience and learning that you may adapt for your own council. This is the model of sector-led improvement.
Find out more about becoming a peer. If you would like to discuss this further, then please contact the LGA Principal Adviser for your region.