Press releases
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Majority think welfare policy undermines efforts to tackle homelessness
The vast majority of councils and housing associations believe government welfare policy is hitting their efforts to tackle homelessness, according to new research.
21/09/2017
Press release
Proposed changes to housing benefit (HB) will not only have significant and severe implications for the tenant in receipt of benefit, it will also have serious financial consequences for the private landlord, according to CIH Northern Ireland.
19/09/2017
Press release
CIH Cymru say aspirations in new Welsh Government strategy must be backed up in practice
First Minister Carwyn Jones today launched the Prosperity for All strategy, building on the commitments laid out in the programme for government to produce a long-term vision for Wales. The announcement included several noteworthy details for housing professionals:
19/09/2017
Press release
Social housing green paper must consider affordability and welfare
Responding to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid’s announcement today that the government is planning to bring forward a social housing green paper, CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: “The time is right for fundamental review of social housing so it’s encouraging to hear Sajid Javid’s commitment today. As well as putting the needs of tenants at its heart, this review must address the crucial issue of government funding for genuinely affordable housing.
19/09/2017
Press release
Holyrood leaders back Scottish Housing Day 2017
Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh and the leaders of all the main parties in the Scottish Parliament are backing this year’s annual Scottish Housing Day, due to take place on Thursday the 21st September.
19/09/2017
Press release
New qualification for Northern Ireland’s future housing professionals
The Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland is now offering the CIH Level 5 diploma in housing, an undergraduate level qualification aimed at aspiring housing professionals, supervisors and managers.
18/09/2017
Press release
Grenfell must be a turning point for housing and health
Commenting on the formal opening of the Grenfell Tower inquiry today, CIH director for Northern Ireland Nicola McCrudden said: “The tragedy of Grenfell Tower has rightfully created a renewed focus on housing and health, and ensuring that these awful events never happen again. The victims and everyone affected by this tragedy are owed this, and more.”
14/09/2017
Press release
Calls for urgent shift in housing funding as new figures reveal imbalance
New analysis from CIH shows that government investment in the private market dwarfs support for affordable housing.
14/09/2017
Press release
UK Housing Awards 2018 open for entries
The UK Housing Awards, the biggest and best awards in the housing sector, are open for entries.
08/09/2017
Press release
Welsh Housing Awards shortlists revealed
CIH Cymru today announced their shortlists for the Welsh Housing Awards 2017. The awards are Welsh housing’s biggest good practice sharing scheme.
31/08/2017
Press release
Less than one month to go to Scottish Housing Day 2017
With just under a month to go until Scottish Housing Day, the organisers behind the event are encouraging as many housing organisations as possible to get involved and consider hosting an event to raise public awareness of housing options and the great work people in housing do.
30/08/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland submits evidence on new Social Security Bill
CIH Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s focus on creating a new social security system based on human rights, dignity and respect but has raised concerns about how the principles will be applied and measured.
23/08/2017
Press release
Much more needs to be done to respond to ‘unacceptable’ levels of homelessness
Responding to the Crisis report that estimates homelessness in Wales will grow by a third in the next five years CIH Cymru highlighted the ongoing impact of welfare reform, and called for a national conversation about the value and purpose of social housing.
10/08/2017
Press release
Crisis report highlights 'disgraceful' homelessness problem says CIH
Commenting on today’s Crisis report on core homelessness in Great Britain, Faye Greaves, policy and practice officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said: "This report really hammers home the scale of our homelessness problem – it is quite frankly disgraceful that thousands of people are sleeping rough on our streets and that so many more don’t have access to a home of their own.
10/08/2017
Press release
Mid Ulster landlords own fewer properties than most other council areas
3,600 private landlords registered in Mid Ulster own 5,600 rental properties according to new figures obtained by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
09/08/2017
Press release
Northern Ireland housing market recovery is ‘fragile’: CIH
Commenting on the latest Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin released today, Justin Cartwright, CIH Northern Ireland policy and public affairs manager said “Today’s statistics show two very different sides to our housing market – on one hand there has been a welcome increase in the number of new homes started, which are up by 16 per cent on the same quarter last year.
08/08/2017
Press release
Joint response to Grenfell Tower inquiry consultation
CIH has submitted a joint response to the consultation on the terms of reference of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.
08/08/2017
Press release
Rise in rough sleeping a cause for concern
CIH Cymru called on the sector to continue building a collaborative response, and for Welsh Government to support efforts towards approaches like Housing First
04/08/2017
Press release
CIH responds to today’s benefit cap statistics
Responding to the latest benefit cap statistics released today by the Department for Work and Pensions, CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: "Homelessness has been steadily rising in all its forms since 2010 and we fear that the benefit cap could make things even worse.
03/08/2017
Press release
Jim Strang wins CIH vice presidential election
Jim Strang will be the next vice president of CIH after winning an election of CIH's members.
02/08/2017
Press release
PAC report to be commended for approach on tenant role in regulation
CIH Cymru comment on the release of the Welsh Assembly's Public Accounts Committee report into housing association regulation and governance.
02/08/2017
Press release
CIH welcomes announcement of Belfast's first build-to-rent apartment block development
Plans for Belfast's first large-scale build-to-rent apartment block have been warmly welcomed by CIH, the independent voice of housing and the home of professional standards.
01/08/2017
Press release
Joint announcement from CIH and CIH Consultancy
A spokesperson for CIH Consultancy and CIH said: “We regret to announce that insolvency proceedings for CIH Consultancy were initiated today.
01/08/2017
Press release
CIH Cymru welcomes latest figures on homelessness
The statistics outline the number of households presenting as homeless to local authorities.
27/07/2017
Press release
English Housing Survey a stark reminder of our national housing crisis says CIH
Commenting on the English Housing Survey 2015-16, released today by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Chartered Institute of Housing head of practice Debbie Larner said: "Today’s English Housing Survey is a stark reminder of our national housing crisis. Affordable housing is increasingly out of reach for millions of people all over the country.
13/07/2017
Press release
NI social housebuilding threatened by new benefit cuts
Social housebuilding in Northern Ireland is being threatened by benefit cuts planned by the UK Government, according to a new report.
06/07/2017
Press release
Voting for CIH's next vice president opens
The voting for CIH's next vice president has officially opened with two candidates - James Strang and Paul Butterworth - going head to head to replace Alison Inman in September.
04/07/2017
Press release
The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland has responded to a Scottish Government consultation proposing new minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector (PRS) by joining calls for these standards to be made more ambitious.
30/06/2017
Press release
CIH responds to latest right to buy figures for England
Figures released today by the Department for Communities and Local Government show that 2,890 homes were sold by councils through the right to buy scheme in England in January to March 2017, while 1,378 were started or acquired to replace them using the receipts.
29/06/2017
Press release
New survey reveals public concern about government response to housing crisis
Two thirds of people in Britain think the housing market is unfair and just 18% think the government has the right policies to solve the country’s housing problems – a new survey has revealed.
28/06/2017
Press release
Social housing target lowered due to Stormont impasse
More families in need of social housing will have to wait longer for a home, according to CIH Northern Ireland. Fewer units are due to be built this year following the collapse of power-sharing.
27/06/2017
Press release
Housing organisations have crucial role in a society 'more divided than ever'
Housing organisations must play a central role in a society which is more divided than ever – the chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing has said.
27/06/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland comments on latest biannual homelessness statistics
CIH Scotland has commented on the publication of new homelessness and housing options statistics for Scotland, released today (27 June 2017) by the Scottish Government.
27/06/2017
Press release
Half of renters fear struggle as new figures reveal stark rise in rents
A dramatic rise in private rents compared to earnings revealed in new analysis by the Chartered Institute of Housing is putting housing out of reach for many people, the organisation has said.
27/06/2017
Press release
DUP urged to ensure benefit cuts don't affect social housing
Commenting on the Tory/DUP deal announced today, Nicola McCrudden, CIH director for Northern Ireland, said: "It is disappointing that there has been no agreement to revisit the welfare policies that will impact on people's ability to afford a decent home.
26/06/2017
Press release
Jump in number of homeless households in temporary accommodation 'staggering' says CIH
Responding to the latest homelessness statistics for England, CIH policy and practice officer Faye Greaves said: "Today’s figures are extremely worrying but sadly not surprising – homelessness has been steadily rising in all its forms since 2010, partly because of the pressures on the housing market but also some of the welfare changes that have come into force over the past few years.
22/06/2017
Press release
CIH responds to Queen’s Speech
Responding to today’s Queen’s Speech, Chartered Institute of Housing chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: “We need an ambitious, long-term plan to tackle our housing crisis so it is encouraging to hear the government’s commitment to get more homes built and to bring forward the measures outlined in its housing white paper.
21/06/2017
Press release
Choice based lettings could tackle housing inequality
Commenting on the Equality in housing and communities report published today by the Equality Commission, Nicola McCrudden, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) director for Northern Ireland said: “Tackling housing inequality is fundamentally about building more homes, but we also need to look at how social homes are allocated. The current system can restrict a tenant’s choice to small and often segregated areas.
21/06/2017
Press release
CIH responds to latest affordable housing statistics for England
Responding to figures released today on the number of affordable housing starts and completions funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and the Greater London Authority in England in 2016/17, CIH head of policy Melanie Rees said: "While it is encouraging to see an increase in the number of affordable homes both started and completed, the drop in the number of homes for social rents completed in 2016/17 is deeply concerning. For many people affordable rents are still out of reach and social rents remain the only truly affordable homes.
20/06/2017
Press release
CIH responds to appointment of new housing and planning minister
Responding to the appointment of Alok Sharma MP as the new housing and planning minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: "We’d like to congratulate Alok Sharma on his appointment. The Conservative manifesto rightly recognised that we need an ambitious long-term plan to tackle our national housing crisis.
13/06/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland welcomes rise in new affordable housing approvals
CIH Scotland has commented on the latest quarterly housing statistics for Scotland, published today (13 June 2017) by Scotland's Chief Statistician.
13/06/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland Excellence Awards 2017 now open for nominations
CIH Scotland wants you to tell us about the remarkable people you work with and celebrate the success of projects you've been working on.
09/06/2017
Press release
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) should ensure that plans by the UK government to make further cuts to benefits don’t result in increased rent arrears and a rise in homelessness says the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland.
09/06/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland executive director Annie Mauger has commented on the outcome of yesterday's General Election.
09/06/2017
Press release
CIH responds to General Election result
Chartered Institute of Housing chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: "We hope our politicians can form an effective new government as quickly as possible – we need action now to solve the housing crisis and prolonged uncertainty will undermine that goal.
09/06/2017
Press release
Not enough focus on affordability - housing professionals say in poll
The majority of housing professionals we surveyed in a poll ahead of the General Election think truly affordable housing hasn't been given enough focus in manifestos.
06/06/2017
Press release
Letter to the Editor: Westminster actions still have an impact on Scottish housing
With the General Election just a few days away, CIH Scotland executive director Annie Mauger reminds voters not to forget about issues affecting Scottish housing when they head to the ballot box this week.
05/06/2017
Press release
CIH responds to latest house-building figures
Commenting on the house-building statistics for England for January to March 2017, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government today, Chartered Institute of Housing deputy chief executive Gavin Smart said: "We need a swift and significant increase in the number of new homes to get to grips with our national housing crisis, so it’s encouraging to see an increase in the number of homes built on both a quarterly and annual basis.
25/05/2017
Press release
Congratulations on being first!
CIH Scotland congratulates the first letting agents to complete the LETWELL programme and the associated CIH level 3 certificate in letting and managing residential property.
23/05/2017
Press release
“21,000 Scots could face up to £22.6m rent gap from planned under 35s LHA cap” – new report
An estimated 21,000 social tenants across Scotland aged under 35 could potentially be adversely affected by UK Government plans to cap housing benefit for social housing tenants from April 2019, collectively facing a rent affordability gap of up to £22.6 million annually. This is a key conclusion of an interim report on the impact of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap on young people in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Government in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland and submitted this week to the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee. A final report exploring the potential to mitigate against the impact of LHA restrictions is due to be completed this summer.
22/05/2017
Press release
Not for profit sector should provide affordable rented homes says TD
Housing associations should provide non profit rented housing to tackle soaring rents, Maria Bailey TD tells audience at Dublin Castle housing conference.
19/05/2017
Press release
Chartered Institute of Housing responds to Conservative manifesto
Commenting on the publication of the Conservative party’s General Election manifesto, Chartered Institute of Housing chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: "All three major parties have now rightly recognised that we need an ambitious long-term plan to get to grips with our national housing crisis. We know we need to build at least 250,000 homes a year in England to meet demand, so it’s very positive to see commitments to increase house-building in all of the major parties’ manifestos.
18/05/2017
Press release
CIH responds to Liberal Democrat manifesto
Commenting on the publication of the Liberal Democrat party’s General Election manifesto, Chartered Institute of Housing chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: "We need a swift and significant increase in the number of new homes being built to get to grips with our national housing crisis, so it’s encouraging to see the Liberal Democrats setting an ambitious target for house building and proposing to directly commission new homes. Historically we have only built anywhere near the number of homes we need when the public sector has been directly involved in building.
17/05/2017
Press release
CIH responds to Labour manifesto
Commenting on the publication of the Labour party’s General Election manifesto, Chartered Institute of Housing chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: "We know we need to build around 250,000 homes a year in England to get to grips with our national housing crisis, so it’s encouraging to see Labour setting an ambitious target for house building.
16/05/2017
Press release
Housebuilding growth eases pressure on Northern Ireland families
Commenting on the latest Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin released today, Nicola McCrudden, Chartered Institute of Housing director for Northern Ireland said: “Today’s statistics highlight the ongoing recovery of the private housebuilding industry.
09/05/2017
Press release
Search for next CIH vice president gets underway
The search for the Chartered Institute of Housing’s next vice president is officially underway.
05/05/2017
Press release
Election 2017: fixing broken housing market needs cross-party consensus
Political parties must focus on policies to build more homes, make housing more affordable and get to grips with rising homelessness, according to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
28/04/2017
Press release
CIH Northern Ireland welcomes growth in new homes
Commenting on NHBC’s latest new home registration statistics released today, Nicola McCrudden, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Director for Northern Ireland, said: “The steady growth in the number of new homes being built is welcoming but we need to do more to unblock our housing supply problem.
27/04/2017
Press release
UK Housing Awards winners announced in record-breaking year
The winners of the 2017 UK Housing Awards have been revealed at a ceremony in London which was attended by more than 700 housing professionals.
27/04/2017
Press release
New charter launched to support the growth of shared ownership
Housing organisations are being urged to sign up to a new charter on shared ownership developed by CIH.
26/04/2017
Press release
Research will explore work to tackle homelessness
A new research project will explore how councils and housing associations can best work together to tackle homelessness.
25/04/2017
Press release
Election 'an ideal opportunity to look pragmatically at housing crisis'
CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat has said an early election would be an ideal opportunity to look pragmatically at solving the housing crisis.
19/04/2017
Press release
CIH Cymru has launched a campaign aimed at getting local council election candidates to focus on housing issues ahead of polling day on 4 May.
13/04/2017
Press release
CIH campaign to help members ensure local council candidates have a handle on housing
CIH Scotland are urging members to take the opportunity to challenge campaigning local council election candidates on their housing priorities over the next few weeks to ensure they have a handle on housing issues specific to their area.
13/04/2017
Press release
New housing research centre will make 'a very real difference'
A new £7.5 million housing research centre will make ‘a very real difference’ in our understanding of the challenges facing housing in the UK.
06/04/2017
Press release
Getting planning system right 'crucial' to meeting 50,000 affordable homes target
Successful reform of Scotland’s planning system will be crucial if the Scottish Government’s target of delivering 50,000 new affordable homes by the end of the current Scottish Parliament is to be met.
04/04/2017
Press release
Gap between LHA and rents putting private rents 'out of reach'
The gap between the help with housing costs that young, single people in the private sector get and their rents is making housing virtually inaccessible, new research has revealed.
31/03/2017
Press release
2017 Scottish Housing Day aims to help public make informed choices
This year’s official Scottish Housing Day will take place on Thursday the 21st September, it has been announced.
28/03/2017
Press release
Passage of bill ‘hugely positive’ as figures reveal continued scale of homelessness
CIH has welcomed the news that the Homelessness Reduction Bill has passed its final stage in the House of Lords as new figures reveal the continued scale of the problem.
23/03/2017
Press release
The housing sector has a critical role to play in meeting the needs of people living with dementia as the number of individuals diagnosed with the condition annually is predicted to rise to 19,473 by 2020.
15/03/2017
Press release
New research shows high tenant satisfaction with mid-market rent
New research commissioned by CIH Scotland in partnership with Wheatley Group has found high levels of satisfaction among tenants living in mid-market rent properties in Scotland.
15/03/2017
Press release
Housing Minister launches scrutiny guide for social tenants and landlords
A best practice guide to embedding tenant scrutiny in social housing has been officially launched today (Tuesday 14th March) by Scottish Government Minister for Local Government and Housing Kevin Stewart.
14/03/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland appoints three new board members
The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (CIH Scotland) has today (Tuesday 14th March) confirmed the appointment of three new board members as their annual housing festival gets underway at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow.
14/03/2017
Press release
CIH approved as a main apprenticeship provider
CIH has been approved as a main apprenticeship training provider for the new housing and property management apprenticeships.
14/03/2017
Press release
Housing body adds voice to growing concerns over Universal Credit roll-out impact and costs
The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (CIH Scotland) has added its voice to growing concerns about the negative social impact and spiralling costs of implementing Universal Credit.
13/03/2017
Press release
Time for radical thinking on the future of social security in Scotland?
CIH Scotland executive director Annie Mauger writes for the Herald on the future of social security in Scotland.
13/03/2017
Press release
Budget ‘early missed opportunity’ to take forward housing agenda
The deputy chief executive of CIH has described today's budget announcement as a 'missed opportunity'.
08/03/2017
Press release
Ambition to solve housing crisis 'impossible' if funding balance continues
The government’s ambition to solve the housing crisis will not be possible if an imbalance in housing funding continues, CIH has said, as new figures reveal just £8 billion of the £51 billion earmarked for housing up to 2021 will directly fund affordable homes.
03/03/2017
Press release
Best in housing celebrated at annual awards
People who work in housing and homelessness across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been recognised for their contribution to local communities at a prestigious awards ceremony.
02/03/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland welcomes new Scottish Government guidance on registration of letting agents
The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland has welcomed the publication today (27 February 2017) of new guidance from the Scottish Government on the registration of letting agents
27/02/2017
Press release
New inquiry into lower benefit cap welcomed
CIH has welcomed the announcement that the Work and Pensions Committee will be conducting an inquiry into the effects of the lower benefit cap.
24/02/2017
Press release
More than 140 attend housing white paper event with minister
More than 140 housing professionals attended an event arranged by housing minister Gavin Barwell and jointly hosted by CIH to discuss the housing white paper.
21/02/2017
Press release
Housing professionals invited to share views with minister at events
Housing minister Gavin Barwell is inviting housing professionals to join him to share their views on the housing white paper at a series of regional events.
16/02/2017
Press release
'We need a diverse house building model to solve the housing crisis.'
Government must support all kinds of house builders to build the homes we need, says Kate Henderson, the chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association, in the latest of our exclusive articles compiled as part of the 75th anniversary of the Beveridge Report.
15/02/2017
Press release
Supported housing for older people 'should be excluded from new proposals until 2022'
Supported housing for older people should be excluded from new funding proposals until at least 2022 – CIH has said in its response to the government's consultation.
14/02/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland comments on social tenants in Scotland statistics
New statistics on social tenants in Scotland (2015) have been released today (14 February 2017) by the Scottish Government.
14/02/2017
Press release
The Big Picture photography competition winners unveiled in exhibition
The winners of The Big Picture - CIH's centenary photography competition to showcase the value of housing - were unveiled to hundreds of housing professionals at an exhibition at our presidential dinner.
08/02/2017
Press release
'Time to make council housing a big part of the solution to the housing crisis'
The building of new council homes should be a key part of solving our housing crisis, argues Martin Wheatley, from the campaign for social housing (SHOUT), in the latest of our exclusive articles compiled as part of the 75th anniversary of the Beveridge Report.
08/02/2017
Press release
Tale of two cities: more homes being built but homelessness is getting worse
Commenting on the latest Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin released today, Nicola McCrudden, Chartered Institute of Housing director for Northern Ireland said “Today’s statistics highlight the two very different sides to our housing market. More houses are being built but increasing numbers of people are unable to maintain a home.
07/02/2017
Press release
'Important shift' in housing policy but more still needed to support those who need housing most
• CIH welcomes positive moves in white paper to address lack of supply and crucial recognition of role of local authorities
• ‘Housing still remains out of reach for a significant number of people’ – chief executive Terrie Alafat says
• Calls for government to back measures with extra funding in budget
07/02/2017
Press release
Achievements in housing to be recognised at annual awards night
People who work in housing and homelessness are to be recognised at an awards ceremony for their contribution to local communities.
31/01/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland comments on new Scottish household projections
Newly published 2014-based figures projecting the number and type of households there will be in Scotland by 2039 were published today (31st January) by the National Records of Scotland.
31/01/2017
Press release
'Housing must be central to efforts to tackle poverty'
In the first of a number of exclusive articles which shine a light on the link between poverty and housing, Brian Robson, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, argues housing must be at the heart of any plan to solve poverty in the UK.
25/01/2017
Press release
CIH calls on government to introduce new standards for private rented sector
New minimum standards should be introduced for the private rented sector and landlords should receive tax incentives for signing up to accreditation schemes, the Chartered Institute of Housing has said.
25/01/2017
Press release
Shared ownership now seen as a key route onto housing ladder
Shared ownership is now seen as one of the key ways to get onto the housing ladder, a report launched by CIH and Orbit today reveals.
24/01/2017
Press release
Exclusive series of expert comment pieces will profile poverty and housing crisis
Tackling poverty and our housing crisis will be the focus of a series of exclusive articles from leading experts in housing, social policy and economics which will be published by CIH as part of the 75th anniversary of the Beveridge Report.
20/01/2017
Press release
Nearly 250,000 of the cheapest rented homes will be lost between 2012 and 2020
Measures to support the building of new affordable rented homes is ‘desperately needed’, the Chartered Institute of Housing has said after it predicted nearly 250,000 of the cheapest rented homes could be lost between 2012 and 2020.
18/01/2017
Press release
CIH Scotland comments on new Scottish homelessness statistics
CIH Scotland has commented on new figures on homelessness in Scotland, published today (17 January 2017) by the Scottish Government.
17/01/2017
Press release
CIH welcomes proposed changes to private renting
An independent housing panel to deal with disputes between private tenants and landlords would be mutually beneficial, according to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland. The organisation is also supporting new checks on property conditions, saying it will help to boost standards.
10/01/2017
Press release
Chartered Institute of Housing appoints new director in Wales
A new director for Wales has been appointed by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). Matt Dicks will take up his new role in early 2017.
20/12/2016
Press release
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