 A nod of the head. A blank expression. Just two reactions people working in housing might be faced with when asked what they do. They are pictured either knocking on doors demanding, in their gruffest voice, that tenants pay their rent; or on the phone for hours trying to find an emergency plumber for a flat’s leaking toilet. Such stereotypes mask a career that really is exciting, rewarding and diverse. In fact, people who work in housing may, amongst other things, offer advice to homeless people on how they can get off the streets; liaise with tenants on low incomes who are struggling to keep a roof over their head, or work with the probation service to help former-offenders find a secure place to live. Housing needs people with diverse skills Some work closely with local authorities, contributing to planning and policy decisions about regional housing investment programmes; others with architects to plan and develop affordable, but homely, housing for nurses and teachers. In fact, whatever your skills, there’s a place in the housing sector for you: finance, planning, graphic design, communications, management, social care, plumbing, building… and much more. Basically the social housing sector provides affordable homes, whether rented, part-owned or owned-out right, to people who might otherwise be excluded from the mainstream housing market. This means housing organisations manage and maintain existing rented homes as well as building new ones. A growing demand There’s a greater demand for affordable housing than ever before. UK house prices are rising every day – literally. Research from the Housing Federation, which represents 1,300 housing associations in England, shows the average house price in England will rise by 40% in five years reaching £300,000. Furthermore, one third of the UK population live in rented accommodation, and five million homes are owned by local councils or housing associations – special not-for-profit companies that build and manage affordable housing. But social housing is about more than providing a roof over people’s heads. These days the social housing sector works to create diverse, sustainable and vibrant communities where people want to live. Creating neighbourhoods “We are in business for neighbourhoods,” says one of the position statements of the National Housing Federation. “We put our energy into creating places where people want to live. We invest in a range of services as well as homes. We are independent social businesses working with local people and partner organisations to deliver results.” Indeed housing organisations often work with social services, the police, local authority anti-social behaviour units, environmental health and the probation service. Working together with these partners organisations, the social housing sector’s aim is often to support the most vulnerable members of society by making sure they have somewhere to live that’s best suited to their needs. Social housing provides older people, for example, with support in their home when they want it. It provides similar support for young people, the disabled and those with mental health needs. Overall, housing organisations aim to provide all tenants with a safe, secure and pleasant place to live to ensure they remain happy, healthy and engaged in society. Plenty of jobs More than 150,000 people currently work in the UK housing sector. Most work for local authorities and housing associations; others for voluntary organisations, the private sector and regulatory bodies like the Housing Corporation, as well as campaigning charities. By 2010, the UK Government aims to have invested £40 billion in improving the UK’s stock of council houses. Also, to get 2 million more homeowners in properties than there were in 1997. That means the sector will need ever more keen, skilled and dedicated people to fill diverse roles. The housing sector expects to generate a massive 46,000 new jobs over the next decade. According to Asset Skills, which works to improve employee performance, the sector is likely to replace over a third of its existing staff in the same timeframe, as current employees reach retirement age. Opportunities to get into the housing sector have never been greater. Whether a school leaver, graduate, career changer, middle-manager or even director, there could be a place for you. Rewards And in a modern and growing sector, your reward won’t just be the opportunity to support some of the most vulnerable people in society. Pay, conditions, promotional opportunities and other benefits are steadily improving, and certainly match anything you might find working in the public sector or for a charity. Plus, you could be directly involved in regeneration projects which will shape the way our local communities develop over the next generation. We hope The Housing Careers Guide offers you an introduction to the sector, its diversity of opportunity and its massive rewards. Good luck!
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