What's on at the Northern Housing Festival?

The Northern Housing Festival’s programme is packed full of unmissable sessions that will help you to better yourself as a housing professional. You’ll connect with likeminded individuals working to solve the issues that you care about. The keynote sessions will set the scene for a conference that strives for positive change, while the smaller breakout sessions will give you the chance to discuss, debate and make practical plans for the future.

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A focus on the North 

The great thing about attending the Northern Housing Festival as a professional based in the North is that there’ll be a big focus on solving problems in your region. The keynote sessions across the two days focus on key matters that affect you - like local solutions to devolution, improving the quality of housing in the North, and the economic trends influencing the Northern sector. Some of our Strategy Lab sessions will also be relevant to anyone working in the North. Topics like ‘Unlocking the Potential of New Towns and Communities Across the North of England’ and ‘Boosting Green Skills Across the North’ aren’t to be missed. All of our housing events are worthwhile attending if you’re in the industry, but the Northern Housing Festival is a vital one to attend if you work in the region. 

Sector-wide debates 

Our dedicated breakout debate sessions encourage as much discussion as you can fit in! One of the best ways to find solutions is to talk about the problem – especially as you’ll be in the room with some of the sector’s experts and leaders. You’ll have the chance to put forward ideas in the debates: ‘Retrofit or Rebuild?’ and ‘The Northern Rental Puzzle – Balancing Viability and Affordability’. The language we use to talk about homes is another important topic that encourages healthy debate, so you’ll be able to share your thoughts on this area too.

Supporting vulnerable tenants 

Other debate sessions focus on topics like ‘Migration and Housing: Challenging Misconceptions’ and ‘How to Create a Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Housing Response’. We know that looking after tenants, especially those who are vulnerable, is an important part of working in the housing sector – we’ve made sure you’ll have time to discuss these issues in detail. The keynote session titled ‘Discrimination and Inequalities: A Call for Accountability’ will be a particularly important one to attend. On top of all that, our roundtables will cover tackling family homelessness in your area and delivering effective housing for older people. Whichever issues are the most important to you and your work, the Northern Housing Festival has got you covered. 

Regulation and policy updates 

When you’re working hard at your day job, it can sometimes be tricky to find the time to sit down and fully absorb any policy or regulation changes. Our sessions will cover topics like the ‘The Role of Asset Management in Regulation: The Safety and Quality Standard’, ‘Reflections on Practice Since the Introduction of Awaab’s Law’, the Renters Rights Act, and much more. You’ll hear from experts, industry leaders and seasoned professionals, giving you the chance to think about how to implement big changes in the sector into your day-to-day work.

Your continuing professional development 

While just attending the Northern Housing Festival is enough to boost your professional development, we’re also running heaps of sessions dedicated to improving yourself and how you work. If you’re in a management position, ‘The Strategy Lab: Leadership and Culture’ would be a great fit for you. If your focus is more on tenant support, the debate session ‘Tenant Engagement: Striking the Balance’ or the Strategy Lab on effective repair services might be more your thing.  

Finally, everyone could benefit from our debate about the Competence and Conduct Standard. It’ll give you the opportunity to discuss what the incoming changes will mean for your role, and you’ll hear from others about the preparations they’re making. 

We think it’s clear that the Northern Housing Festival is an unmissable event – especially for those who live or work in the North. Become a CIH member and book your ticket today!