What's on at the TAI housing conference?

There’s so much on offer at TAI 2026! As well as packing the main programme full of insightful content, the popular Development Seminar returns, dedicating focus to the big challenges shaping the development of Welsh housing. Whatever areas of housing you’re interested in, this is an essential Welsh conference – get your tickets now. 

Current events 

Housing is a sector that’s constantly evolving due to current events. We know how important it is to keep up to date with the state of the world while working in the sector, and we’ve got more than enough sessions at TAI to keep you covered. 

With the housing conference taking place just a week before the Senedd election, there will of course be a session dedicated to it: Keynote: The Senedd Election - What Will the Outcome Mean for Housing? We’ll explore what the election results could mean for all types of housing professionals, with insights into different parties’ policies and priorities. If you’re solely interested in the financial prospects of the Welsh housing sector, there’ll also be a keynote on Economic Outlook delivered by economic experts. 

Some breakout sessions will delve into the details of relevant regulations to Welsh housing, like the session covering The Implementation of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2 (WHQS 2): Preparing for Energy Efficient Targets. While the target year for improving energy efficiency is 2027, landlords need to start work now to meet it – we’ll show you how. 

Finally, CIH president Julie Haydon’s Rooted in Resilience campaign is always relevant for housing professionals. Hear from Julie and others during her keynote speech on how they deal with working in such a demanding (but rewarding) sector. 

The future of Welsh housing 

It wouldn’t be a Welsh housing event without exploring what’s next for the sector. 

There’s not one but two keynote sessions covering the general future of housing in Wales! The Keynote: What Does a Housing Strategy Look Like in Wales? will look into the national housing strategy promised by Welsh government, offering insights into how current sector problems might be resolved. If you’re looking for more of a debate on the topic, the Keynote: Open Mic: Welsh Government Ambition vs the Reality – Does Resource Match Demand? encourages data-backed discussion about how we can change housing for the better. 

The Development Seminar – Social Housing Grant Isn’t Going to be Enough: Innovative Finance Models looks to the future through a financial lens. You’ll hear from the experts on new economic approaches that could make a difference. 

An important future goal for any sector is becoming greener, and the breakout session A Fair Transition to Net Zero will explore how housing providers can achieve this. 

Finally, you’ll hear from the housing professionals of the future in The Rising Stars Cymru session. Young professionals will discuss their achievements and goals, and you’ll get the chance to vote for the winner of the Rising Stars Cymru award. It will be a wonderful way to boost the Welsh housing sector’s prospects. 

Looking after tenants 

Tenants are at the heart of the housing sector, so we’ve made sure there’s lots of content about how best to support them at TAI. 

A key piece of regulation in relation to tenants is the Building Safety Bill, covered by the breakout session Do we Have the Skills to Meet the Requirements of The Building Safety Bill? You’ll learn about the requirements for assessing fire or structural risks, what to do about higher-risk buildings, and much, much more. If you’re particularly interested in safety, the breakout session Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS): Speeding Up Response Times to Hazards will also be an interesting one.  

Managing workload as a housing professional can seem impossible and it might even start to affect how you support tenants. The breakout session Reducing Patch-Sizes for Housing Officers will be relevant for anyone struggling with this - you’ll get the chance to discuss concerns and solutions. 

If you’re after a broader look at tenant support, the breakout session Tenant Engagement: Striking the Balance might be best. You’ll discuss the nuances of statutory requirements and genuine engagement, keeping the people you support at the forefront of the conversation.  

Working with vulnerable people 

Whether your main concern is older people, children, or those without a home, we’re here to help you support them in the best way you can. 

The ageing population in Wales is on the rise, so the breakout session Smarter Data for Informed Decisions on Older People’s Housing is an important one for anyone who might deal with older community members.  

Switching from the older members of society to the youngest, the breakout session Reducing the Number of Children in Temporary Accommodation is another relevant watch, especially in light of statistics showing there are one or two unexpected child deaths in temporary accommodation every year. 

Last but not least, the breakout session Gearing Up for New Homelessness Legislation will look into how the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation Bill will affect our sector and those you support. 

There isn’t a better time to attend TAI housing conference. Network with likeminded professionals, learn more about your sector, and discover new ways of doing work that matters. Don’t miss out – get your tickets here.