CIH policy
@cihpolicy
CIH's policy & external affairs team. Influencing #ukhousing policy and helping professionals to improve their knowledge.
📢 CIH welcomes the government announcement that mayoral strategic authorities will gain more powers and responsibilities. The plans are an important step in going further on regional devolution and building on the progress made to decentralise power in recent years. Our article ➡️ buff.ly/R6nold8
We have published a report on the impact of local government reorganisation on housing professionals working across local authorities, approved housing bodies, government agencies, and the private sector. To access the report ➡️ buff.ly/81nw4lY To view our article on this ➡️ buff.ly/Ly5hPoa
📢 CIH has responded to the APPG inquiry into the barriers to delivering social housing. Read our full take ➡️ buff.ly/BWD5FxQ
👀 ICYMI👀 We are pleased that the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has adopted a recommendation we made to improve the quality of new build homes. A priority of the new government must be ensuring all homes, including those built to the latest regulations, aren't overheating.
📢 CIH welcomes today’s confirmation by the government of new local authority geographies across large parts of England and the abolishment of county councils. New council elections will be held in May 2027 and they are set to be up and running by April 2028. Our news story ➡️ buff.ly/jMnk392
📢 The End Fuel Poverty Coalition have penned an important piece on the health risks linked to overheating during sustained periods of hot weather. 🗨️ We welcome their contribution to a cause we're championing, and are pleased to have been asked to comment. To read the article ➡️ buff.ly/ysnnWoJ
📢 A London Heat Plan has been published by the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London. 🌡️ We welcome the approach they are proposing their partners in the city take alongside them to reduce overheating risk in homes and the wider built environment. To access the plan ➡️ buff.ly/mfXuqOL
We as a sector, in partnership with government, have much to do to ensure our homes are climate proofed. ✍️ Matthew Scott has previously set out a climate and economic themed case for change in this space, and the points he raised are still very much relevant today. The article ➡️ buff.ly/Eofo5A7
📢 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY 📢 CIH’s policy team are offering an opportunity for a paid summer research internship over August and September to support work on a repairs and resident scrutiny project. 💡 For more information, visit our careers page before Friday 10 July 2026 ➡️ buff.ly/gF2erYF
📢 We're looking forward to our next member Homelessness Policy Group meeting on Friday 10 July (9:30–11:00). We'll be joined by Imogen Blood (Imogen Blood & Associates) and Lucy Campbell (Single Homelessness Project), 📩 If you would like to attend, please email: policyandpractice@cih.org
🏠 We've brought out a new CIH member briefing on the recent updates to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Local authorities use the framework to assess health and safety hazards in homes and to decide on actions to take. The CIH member briefing ➡️ buff.ly/NjqLCaX
📢 ICYMI 📢 We've updated our member briefing on the Social Housing Bill to include the latest amendments CIH is proposing as the Bill makes its way through parliament. We’re proposing amendments in three key areas. Read our full, up-to-date member briefing on the CIH Knowledge Hub ➡️ buff.ly/lXzsGEt
🗣️🏘️ Our England policy team has been busy with public affairs in the last couple of months. Head over to LinkedIn to read the full update ➡️ buff.ly/VZmz0dp
📢 We have today published draft guidance about how housing providers can deal with wildfire risk. It is openly available here ➡️ buff.ly/AvplbqG ✍️ We are now asking the sector and wider stakeholders across the UK for feedback. Our article ➡️ buff.ly/B0WrWG1
In the final blog in our series with the National Housing Federation, Polly Turton from Shade the UK explains how taking simple steps to reduce solar gain and improving shading can make a huge difference to reducing the risk of indoor overheating. To read the blog, click here ➡️ buff.ly/zPImxBS
On Monday afternoon, at The Social Housing Bill second reading, Baroness Neate proposed to strengthen the bill by including an amendment to exempt domestic abuse survivors from local authority housing related debt rules. 📽️ See a clip from her speech at the House of Lords below.
📢 The Social Housing Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on Monday. If you want to understand the key issues at stake as it moves through Parliament, our recent briefing for parliamentarians breaks down what's in the Bill and why it matters to our members ➡️ buff.ly/sGAOfiL
We've put together a member briefing on everything you need to know about the Social Housing Bill. 🏠 Our guide breaks down the bill's four parts and outlines CIH views on each. Read here ➡️ buff.ly/j1qiNkr Not yet a CIH member?💡Learn more about membership and join today ➡️ buff.ly/0jUIFB1
✍️ In her guest blog for #DementiaActionWeek, Vanessa Pritchard-Wilkes, chair of the Dementia and Housing Working Group and head of research and influence at Housing 21, explains how she and others are pushing for change, and why your voice matters. Read the full blog ➡️ buff.ly/PD4AUOc
📢 CIH has responded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) consultation on the New Towns Draft Programme. 🏘️ It's vital that we develop long-term, intentional, well-designed homes that are fit for the future. Read our full response ➡️ buff.ly/SWqVtxC
Last month, the government responded to the 2025 Supported Housing Consultation. 💡We've put together a concise member briefing, outlining what you need to know about the key changes, as well as the new Supported Housing National Standards ➡️ buff.ly/iSbttMN
📢 This #HoardingAwarenessWeek, we're encouraging members to explore this new resource on partnership approaches to health and hoarding, which sets out how collaboration across services can lead to earlier intervention, better outcomes and fewer crises. 📖 Read the full guide here ➡️ buff.ly/UXnu2UK
📢 It's been one week since the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, representing the largest change to England's private rented sector for 30 years. Clear and impartial information is crucial as the Act comes into force - we have a role to play in making sure private renters know their rights.
CIH welcomes news that the government’s English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has received Royal Assent. The act has significant implications for housing and planning, which we believe brings power, and new homes and infrastructure, closer to communities. Our reaction ➡️ buff.ly/eUQnFWn
📢 We have produced another member-exclusive what you need to know guide - this time taking you through all things devolution and local government reorganisation. The guide can be accessed here ➡️ buff.ly/NWQ8MP4
📢 Supported Housing Network: Understanding the government's response to the Supported Housing Consultation 🗓️ Monday 27 April ⏰️ 10:00-11:15 To join Andrew Dimmock (MHCLG), Sarah Davis, Stephanie Morphew and Matt Baird for this session, please email policyandpractice@cih.org
📢 The HCLGC has published its report on Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation. We welcome its recommendations, including mandating local councils to inspect properties and phasing out unsuitable placements. Read our full response ➡️ buff.ly/CJx6Tec Read the report ➡️ buff.ly/Bm2AWQ3
📣 CIH welcomes the news of £100 million extra funding for social housing to install solar PV. We've worked closely with DESNZ on the outline of the scheme, and will continue to support them and our members to ensure every social housing resident has a safe and warm home. Read more➡️ buff.ly/UmmIC4D
📣CIH welcomes the government’s response to the 2025 supported housing consultation. It prioritises raising standards, avoids undue burdens on good providers and outlines changes that reflect the contributions of the sector to the consultation last year. Read more➡️https://buff.ly/fe0evuq
CIH policy lead Stephanie Morphew CIHM has written the foreword for the resource for housing professionals and shares further insight in a new podcast with LBC Radio presenter Natasha Devon. 🎧 Listen to the podcast ➡️ buff.ly/GjUBRkP 📖 Read the resources available ➡️ buff.ly/riWDU4W