The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s new social housing white paper: “The Charter for Social Housing Residents”.
RIBA Fire Safety Group Chair, Jane Duncan, said:
“Whilst some of the proposals are welcomed – such as placing greater responsibility for safety on landlords – they do not do enough to address the root causes of poor quality and lack of safety.
Housing associations operate some of the most aggressive procurement practices and too often prioritise lowest cost over quality, leading to the development of sub-standard homes.
The paper also fails current leaseholders who face huge bills for cladding remediation caused by poor regulation of high-rise buildings, with no mention of new funding, and makes no reference to the many dangerous buildings below 18 metres.
We call for urgent action including sufficient funding for cladding remediation, and commitment to replacing the poor procurement practices that lead to the building of sub-standard homes.
Lastly, we must not forget the appalling shortage of homes for social rent across England. As the RIBA’s recent report argues, it’s time the government armed Local Authorities with the right funding and support to bring about the next generation of safe and sustainable social housing.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Press contact: Abigail.Chiswell-White@riba.org or +44 (0) 20 7307 3811.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
