‘What got us here, won’t get us ‘there’   

Following a great UKREiiF session, we heard from industry leaders from across the country on the issues and opportunities facing the social housing sector.  

The panel included Shahi Islam from Homes England,  Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, Bronwen Rapley from Onward Homes, Greg Reed from Places for People,  Stephen Teagle from Vistry Group, and finally, Clare Miller.

In a nutshell, the sentiment “What got us here, won’t get us ‘there’…” rang true with everyone on the panel. Some significant developments and changes are needed to ensure the sector can amend the issues it’s facing and showcase the successes much more impactfully.

Below are Alia, our Managing Director’s highlights from the panel, summarising what it means to deliver with purpose:

Social housing isn’t just about building homes – it’s about creating long-term impact. As we look to a future that outlives political cycles, we need a clear, strategic vision for housing that is resilient, inclusive, and practical.

A change in government offers new opportunities – and early signals suggest greater alignment with the ambitions of housing associations. With stronger partnerships, freedoms in the planning system, and a focus on de-risking sites, we can better prioritise social and affordable housing across the UK.

But the challenge is multifaceted. Here’s what the sector needs to see embedded in any credible housing strategy:

1. A financially robust purchasing environment
2. A balanced housing market, across social, PRS and open-market tenures
3. Alignment with infrastructure and economic strategies
4. Diversity of delivery, with real backing for SMEs and collaborative models

We must also address regeneration realistically – replacing homes no longer fit for purpose and investing where communities need it most.

The skills gap is a looming risk. With a shortfall of 140,000 skilled workers, we must evolve training to meet not just today’s needs, but those of the next 25 years. The homes of the future demand a future-proofed workforce.

Temporary accommodation – this absolutely cannot be forgotten.  will require bold thinking – tapping into banking, pension, and development sectors to unlock innovation in funding and delivery.

The message is clear: if we want lasting change, we need conviction, clarity, and collaboration. Social housing can lead the way – but only with the right tools, partners and purpose.