In Housing Sector Podcast Episode 27 with Lara Oyedele, Part 2, "Where It Might Have Gone Wrong and Where We Might Be Able to Fix It," we dive deep into the evolution of housing associations. From their roots as charitable organisations to their current transformation into financially-driven enterprises led by finance directors, we explore the history of social housing, the influence of figures like Octavia Hill, and key moments such as the BBC documentary Cathy Come Home and the Windrush Generation.
We discuss how housing associations, bogged down by red tape and bureaucracy, have lost some of their agility and responsiveness. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in housing, how shared ownership tenants should be treated as stakeholders but are often ignored, and how the rise of activist groups on social media is holding housing providers accountable in ways they haven’t had to face before.
We also talk about the critical issue of finance directors managing housing associations without always understanding the communities they serve, and the important work being done by figures like Kwajo in challenging the system. This episode highlights the need for change and asks how we can fix a system that’s become disconnected from its roots and the people it was meant to serve.
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