Richmond Council invites residents to feedback on Social Housing Improvement Plan

We are embarking on a campaign to drive improvements in standards of social housing for residents.

We are introducing a Social Housing Improvement Plan (SHIP) for the borough, which will set out commitments against which Richmond upon Thames’ housing associations will make improvements to the existing homes they provide in the borough, tackling disrepair, improving services and creating well-insulated, sustainable homes that are affordable to heat. Central to the plan are a series of commitments setting out how we will work with housing associations to put the resident voice at the heart of decision making and invest in communal areas and projects to build safer, stronger, thriving communities.

We are now asking residents for their feedback on the proposed commitments in the plan.

Councillor Jim Millard, Richmond Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Deputy Leader, said, “You’ll have heard me talk about the importance of delivering our pipeline of over 1,000 new genuinely affordable homes, and rightly so, but at the same time I want residents to know that what’s equally important to us as a strategic priority is driving improvements in existing social housing.”

Councillor Paulina Vassileva, Richmond Council’s Tenants’ Champion, added, “As existing homes get older, it’s vitally important that our housing association partners invest in improving conditions to drive better health and wellbeing for tenants. We’ve listened to what residents in social housing tell us are the priorities and developed this plan together with our housing partners to take action.” 

The commitments are:

1. Putting the resident voice at the heart of decision making
2. Improving repairs service
3. Tackling defects and disrepair
4. Investing in sustainable homes
5. Investing in safe and strong communities

Councillor Millard said, “Our goal is to create a borough where everybody feels secure and supported in their homes and communities. As a Council that doesn’t own social housing, our role is to bring our housing partners together to agree this plan, which goes above and beyond standard regulations and serves our local values and aspirations. Our housing associations will report to the Council on the steps they have taken to deliver on these commitments, including doing so publicly at committee, every year. We’ll scrutinise and support them, and invest together in building stronger communities. I’m grateful to our housing associations for their collaboration on this plan. I’m proud to present this agreed vision and road map for a brighter future, and I look forward to hearing our residents’ views.”

We have developed this plan with the following housing associations: RHP, PA Housing, MTVH and L&Q.

Social Housing residents will be asked to comment on their concerns and priorities to improve their experiences living in social housing. Feedback will inform a final version of the Social Housing Improvement Plan.

Tenants, leaseholders, voluntary sector organisations and other interested parties are encouraged to participate in the consultation process via an online survey. 

For assistance or alternative formats, contact consultation@richmond.gov.uk.