The Housing Sector Podcast

In this episode of The Housing Sector Podcast , I am joined by Suz Muna, Secretary of the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC), to discuss the critical need for a National Tenants and Residents Union . With grassroots groups facing significant challenges in offering residents the legal support they need, Suz outlines how a union could empower tenants and residents nationwide. Key topics include:...

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Kershaw to discuss the evolving role of housing associations in the UK. We delve into the shift from housing staff who once had a deep humanistic approach to tenants' needs, to an increasingly corporate structure driven by financial interests and investors. Paul sheds light on how the tenant’s voice seems to have been lost in this shift, with board meetin...

Housing Sector Podcast #31 – From Resident to CEO and Chair In this episode, I sit down with Jennie Ferrigno BEM 😄   — a true trailblazer in UK social housing. Jennie’s journey is rooted in lived experience. From her time as a housing association resident to becoming CEO and Chair of Red Kite Community Housing , she’s shown what real leadership looks like when it’s built on empathy, integrity, an...

In this episode, we delve into the pressing issue of financial abuse within GreenSquareAccord. We highlight how increased service charges are not matched by improved services, the use of false figures, and the neglect of Section 22 obligations. We also discuss Ruth Cook's substantial pay rise amidst these challenges, and the broader implications for residents. Tune in as we explore how we can...

In episode 30 of the Housing Sector podcast, I sit down with housing activist Dan Bruce to discuss his ongoing battle with developers and warranty providers after purchasing a luxury apartment in Camden back in 2016. What should have been a dream home quickly turned into a financial and emotional nightmare when he discovered severe defects—including water leaks, structural issues, and an unsafe ro...

In Episode 29 of the Housing Sector Podcast , I sit down with Elizabeth Taylor , former Engagement and Policy Lead for TPAS Cymru , to discuss one of the most overlooked yet fundamental aspects of social housing: flooring. For many tenants, receiving the keys to a new home also means stepping into a bare, concrete-floored space, with the added burden of sourcing and affording flooring themselves....

In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast , I’m joined by Insley Ettienne , CEO of CoSil Solutions , to explore the critical role of mediation in housing disputes . As service charges continue to rise and disrepair issues escalate, the relationship between housing providers and residents is becoming increasingly strained. Far too often, housing associations resort to costly, time-consuming leg...

In Housing Sector Podcast Episode 27 with Lara Oyedele, Part 2, "Where It Might Have Gone Wrong and Where We Might Be Able to Fix It," we dive deep into the evolution of housing associations. From their roots as charitable organisations to their current transformation into financially-driven enterprises led by finance directors, we explore the history of social housing, the influence of...

Speaking out in the housing sector comes at a price—a price that both my guest and I know all too well. In this episode, I sit down with Lara Oyedele , a veteran of the UK housing sector and a former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, to explore the real cost of challenging the status quo. Lara shares her experience as CEO of Black on Board , how she was blacklisted by the Chartered...

n this episode, I sit down with Simon Bernstein from Empathy Transformation to explore how housing providers can drive real value from customer service training—especially when budgets are tighter than ever. We dive into the real challenges faced by customer service teams, from empathy fatigue caused by handling endless calls to the rise of “accidental managers” who have been promoted beyond their...

In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I explore whether smaller housing associations truly have an edge when it comes to tenant satisfaction. With the latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures indicating that smaller organisations consistently outperform larger counterparts, I wanted to uncover the reasons behind this success. To get to the heart of it, I spoke with Sharon Brady-Wardrope, Direc...

In this episode, I’m joined by housing expert Ebrahim Goolamally to break down everything you need to know about service charges.  We explore how you can verify whether your service charge has been correctly calculated, understand what you're actually paying for, and ensure you're not being overcharged. Ebrahim also shares practical steps you can take if you believe your service charge i...

In this episode, I delve deep into the complexities surrounding antisocial behaviour (ASB) within the housing sector, exploring the nuances of eviction, support, and community responsibility. I’m joined once again by Jacqueline Parkes to unpack the gaps in ASB laws and how housing associations navigate the delicate balance between eviction and support. We tackle several key questions: Do housing a...

In Episode 13 of This is the GSA Way, titled Moist Fire Alarms, I delve into the ongoing fire safety issues at Maureen Christian House and expose GreenSquareAccord's inadequate response to a long-standing and potentially life-threatening problem. The fire alarm system, which has been faulty since at least 2016, remains unreliable and even held together with tape. Despite repeated concerns rai...

In this episode, I take a hard look at the surprising decisions coming out of the National Housing Federation (NHF). Despite her track record of significant failures, Ruth Cooke continues to sit on the NHF board—raising serious concerns about leadership accountability in the housing sector. Even more puzzling, Steve Hayes, GreenSquareAccord’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, has b...

In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I sit down with Suz from SHAC (Social Housing Action Campaign) to discuss the ongoing service charge crisis. Residents across the country are facing ever-increasing service charges, often while enduring poor repairs and significant delays in maintenance. These mounting issues could push many residents to consider a service charge strike, a move that c...

As we step into 2025, GreenSquareAccord finds itself again at a critical juncture where it must take responsibility for past shortcomings and commit to meaningful changes. In this podcast, we explore ten resolutions that could transform the way GreenSquareAccord serves its residents and ultimately rebuild trust. Imagine a future where GreenSquareAccord stops playing the victim and victim blaming,...