‘Look at what more regulatory system can do to boost supply’, Reed tells new Regulator of Social Housing CEO

Steve Reed has urged the new chief executive of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) to consider what more the regulatory system can do to boost affordable housing delivery.

In a letter to congratulate Jonathan Walters on his appointment, which was announced earlier this week, the housing secretary wrote that the regulation of social housing has a key role to play in the government’s “critical mission” of delivering the “biggest increase in the supply of social an affordable housing in a generation.”

Reed in the letter, which was jointly addressed to RSH chair Bernadette Conroy, acknowledged the regulator plans to engage stakeholders in a discussion about regulatory practices which takes account of sector changes and government priorities.

Reed said: “I ask that through this process you actively consider what more the regulatory system can do to encourage and support the sector to deliver the increase in social and affordable homes that this country needs.

“I would ask that this includes consideration of how the regulatory framework and the engagement that the regulator has with registered providers can better reflect the importance of new supply, as well as how the regulator can ensure that its practices support increased investment into the sector.”

Reed said that the economic regulation of private registered providers “continues to form the bedrock for a stable, viable and well-governed social housing sector able to invest in new and existing homes.”

Reed also acknowledged the RSH is supporting the sector to deliver changes in regulation governing the safety and quality of homes, such as new Decent Homes Standard, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, and Competence and Conduct requirements.

“Protecting tenants and ensuring they have top quality homes is a core and shared purpose through all this work, and I hope to continue working constructively with you to deliver these vital reforms,” he wrote.

Walters will take up the role as RSH CEO from the start of May, moving from his current role as deputy chief executive at the organisation. He has previously worked as director of strategy at the organisation.

The appointment follows the announcement last autumn that Fiona MacGregor would step down after more than a decade at the RSH’s helm. Walters was chosen through an open recruitment process.

RSH sets standards that registered providers of social housing are required to adhere to, such as the governance and financial viability and consumer standards. It carries out inspections and issues regulatory judgements for individual providers. It has powers to take enforcement action such as issuing warnings, requiring improvement plans, issuing fines or intervening in how organisations are run.