Housing disrepair can have a profound impact on people’s health, wellbeing and daily lives. It can affect children’s education, make it harder to work or care for family members, and place additional pressure on public services.
To better understand the issue locally, Cripplegate Foundation and Cloudesley commissioned new research examining housing disrepair in Islington’s social housing sector. Drawing on interviews with advice organisations and social landlords, alongside analysis of relevant data, policy and regulation, the report explores the scale of disrepair, the challenges involved in managing repairs, and opportunities to improve outcomes for residents.
The research highlights the complexity of the issue. It recognises the pressures facing social landlords, including ageing housing stock, workforce challenges and increasing regulatory requirements, while also identifying the experiences of tenants and the barriers that can prevent problems being resolved quickly and effectively. We hope the findings will be useful to local organisations, policymakers and practitioners working to improve housing conditions and reduce inequality in Islington.
The report was launched on 17 September at a stakeholder roundtable bringing together representatives from advice organisations, housing providers, local partners and funders.
We were grateful to hear reflections from Ian Browne, author of report; Mike Hall, Assistant Director Housing Property Services, Islington Council; Dr Marie Burton, Deputy Director, Advice Services Alliance; and Stuart Hearne, Director, Islington Law Centre. Their perspectives helped frame the discussion. The event was held to encourage dialogue around the research and explore its implications for Islington.
