In this episode, I’m joined by Mel Little for a direct and wide-ranging conversation about the state of the housing sector — and the growing gap between what residents experience and what institutions are prepared to admit. Using Birmingham as a case study, we explore how serious safety issues, deteriorating homes, and long-term neglect are increas…

In this episode, I speak with Sue Phillips, founder of Shared Ownership Resources, about the government’s ongoing inquiry into whether “affordable home ownership” is truly affordable. Sue explains why shared owners’ experiences matter now more than ever — and how you can make your voice heard by completing the Housing, Communities and Local Governm…

In Housing Sector Podcast #58 – Compassionate Leadership in Housing, I speak with Tanya Scott, Head of Specialist Housing at Accent Housing. Tanya has built a career defined by care, visibility, and purpose. With more than two decades’ experience in safeguarding and supporting vulnerable communities, she’s known for leading with empathy and driving…

Across the UK, more and more residents are being forced to leave their homes at short notice as buildings are declared unsafe — from fire risks and structural defects to RAAC and wider safety failures. In this episode, I speak with Matt Hodges-Long, co-founder of the Building Safety Register and TrackMyRisks, about what really happens when homes ar…

In this episode, I sit down with Dominic Ahern, a writer and commentator whose work on Substack explores housing policy, governance, and safety. We’re revisiting building safety — a subject that keeps resurfacing because, despite all the talk of progress, little has truly changed. The focus has shifted to “new build standards,” yet even those have …

In this episode, I sit down with Lee, a homeowner and fleecehold campaigner, to expose how residents are being charged thousands each year for minimal or non-existent maintenance — and why this unregulated system is fast becoming a national scandal. We discuss the 39% management fee that shocked residents, fake online reviews allegedly written by t…

In this episode, I’m joined by Suz Muna, Secretary of the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC), to discuss the urgent need for a national tenants and residents union. We explore what such a union could offer members: practical casework support, guidance on tenancy rights, and even standing alongside residents in court. With legal aid cut to the bo…

Earlier this year, I put a call out on LinkedIn for help connecting with professionals working in housing and domestic abuse. Thank you to everyone who responded, shared, tagged, or introduced. Your support helped make this episode happen—and more will follow. In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I speak with Sherrelle Collman, a frontlin…

What happens when a “luxury” new‑build home becomes a nightmare? In this episode, I talk to Alexandra Druzhinin—a homeowner who paid nearly £900,000 for what was marketed as her dream flat in Camden. But instead of sanctuary, she found a dangerous reality: a timber‑framed building that’s structurally compromised, unmortgageable, uninsurable—and, in…

In this hard-hitting episode, I sit down with Frank Chiverton — a director with over 35 years of experience in surveying, damp and mould consultancy, project planning, and contract management — for a frank and forthright conversation about the state of UK housing. We discuss the systemic decline in build quality, the disappearance of skilled oversi…

This blog explores the housing sector’s growing disconnect between professionals and the residents they claim to serve. It unpacks the dangerous comfort of echo chambers, the rise of tokenism, and how resident voices — the real experts — are too often excluded, silenced, or co-opted. It also highlights how a new wave of grassroots campaigners is pu…

My latest blog looks at the impact of Birmingham City Council’s financial collapse on tenants and leaseholders: unsafe homes, service charges paid but not delivered, and basic safety concerns that remain unanswered. At the same time, the Regulator of Social Housing now has stronger powers under the 2023 Act — including Ofsted-style inspections and …

Retrofitting is one of the biggest challenges in housing today. When it’s done well, it can transform homes, reduce bills, and improve lives. But when it goes wrong, residents can be left with cold homes, higher costs, and serious legal battles. In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Ait-Tayeb from Anthony Gold Solicitors to talk about what happen…

In this episode, I’m joined by Mel Little — a Birmingham high-rise resident and health & safety professional — who exposes how fire safety is failing in practice despite being signed off on paper. We discuss: Fire doors failing inspections and redacted fire risk assessments Compartmentation failures, lithium-ion battery risks, and stay-put policies…

In this episode, I speak with campaigner Deepa Mistry, who has taken an extraordinary step to get her housing provider to listen — launching a public petition. While many residents raise concerns through complaints, meetings, or social media, Deepa’s experience shows what happens when those routes fail. Residents shouldn’t have to go to such length…

In Episode 47, I speak with Zoë Garbett AM — Green Party London Assembly Member, Hackney councillor, and one of the few politicians willing to speak plainly about the state of housing in this country. This conversation pulls no punches. We talk about what’s really happening behind the headlines, and why the public narrative around housing is so oft…

In Episode 46, I speak with Melissa Vassiliou — a housing advocate and founder of the Greater Western Sydney Advocacy Network (GWSAN) — about the growing cracks in Australia’s housing system. We cover: Defective buildings signed off for occupation Developers “phoenixing” their companies to dodge liability The “missing middle” in Sydney housing and …

In this hard-hitting episode, I sit down with housing commentator and policy analyst Joe Halewood to examine one of the most devastating and overlooked realities in the UK today: how benefit cuts have made so-called “affordable housing” unaffordable — and the chain reaction that follows. We talk numbers. We talk policy. And we talk about the lived …

In this episode, I speak with Simon Reay, Group Director at Rubixx, one of the alternative tech providers shaking up a sector long dominated by legacy systems and outdated thinking. With more than two decades of experience in social housing, Simon brings insight into how Rubixx is building smarter, resident-focused systems that streamline service d…

How many of us are paying for services we never see delivered? Amber was. So were her neighbours. Instead of waiting for answers, they took action. They legally removed their managing agent, set up their own resident-led company, and took full control of managing their block. What followed wasn’t just a reduction in service charges — it was a rise …

For the first time on the Housing Sector Podcast, I’m joined by three guests — campaigners from the grassroots group Welsh Cladiators — to talk about building safety, leasehold injustice, and the slow, painful fight for accountability in Wales. Despite having a devolved government, the issues facing residents in Wales mirror those in England. Unsaf…

In this narrated blog from HousingSector.co.uk, Ben Jenkins takes a critical look at the Chartered Institute of Housing — questioning whether the organisation truly represents residents or has become too entangled in sector politics, self-promotion, and silence. From empty conference slogans to tokenistic inclusion and the commodification of "tenan…

In this episode, I sit down with Martin Donkin — chair of the Coniston House Tenants & Residents Association (CHTRA) — to unpack one of the most outrageous examples of planning gone wrong and residents being ignored. Tower Hamlets Council signed off on what was pitched as a “low-impact” rooftop extension by Eastend Homes. What followed has been any…

In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I sit down with Paul Smith — Director of Foundations and a seasoned housing professional with over 25 years' experience. We discuss his work delivering home adaptations, improving access, and ensuring that people live in homes that are truly fit for purpose. Paul shares insights into what’s working, wh…

This week, I’m joined by Frances Kneller — someone who grew up in social housing, worked in the heart of the system, and now supports people as a councillor. Frances brings a unique blend of lived experience and sector insight, having experience with the Chartered Institute of Housing and within housing associations before stepping away from the fo…

This week on the Housing Sector Podcast, we’re joined by Lisa Malyon – tech entrepreneur, campaigner, and founder of Mums Versus Mould. What started as a personal battle for Lisa – facing serious health issues and watching her daughter struggle with asthma – has grown into a powerful community initiative supporting families across the UK. Mums Vers…

Join us for a compelling discussion with Matt Lismore, chair of the Weavers Quarter Residents' Association and a prominent housing activist. Matt shares his firsthand experiences from the Weavers Quarter estate in Barking, East London, where residents have faced significant safety concerns due to structural flaws in their homes. In this episode, we…

In this episode, I speak with Steve Day, a dedicated campaigner and leaseholder advocate who worked closely with the late Amanda Walker to expose some of the worst building safety failures in modern Britain. Together, they uncovered life-threatening defects at Royal Artillery Quays, challenged the silence of local authorities, and pushed for real l…

In this episode, I speak with Giles Grover, a long-time campaigner at the heart of the End Our Cladding Scandal movement, to cut through the noise around fire safety, dangerous buildings, and the government’s legacy of deregulation. We dig into why buildings under 18 metres are still unsafe, why leaseholders should never be footing the bill for rem…

In this episode, I speak with Jakia Begum, a determined social housing activist and tenant at Tower Hamlets Community Housing, who’s refusing to stay silent. Jakia moved into her flat only to be hit with sky-high heating costs outsourced to a third party. From concierge charges to CCTV fees, estate warden costs and service charges for services not …

In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked issue of furniture poverty with Claire Donovan, Director of End Furniture Poverty. Claire discusses the profound impact of lacking essential household items—such as beds, cookers, and washing machines—on individuals and families across the UK. With over 6 million people affected, including 26% of …

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 tenant…

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 ha…

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 …

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 fo…

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—includin…

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 …

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 ass…

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 hist…

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 …

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 “accide…

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 hear…

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 ta…

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 supp…

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 toge…

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 Direc…

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 …

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 GreenSquareAc…