Challenging times lie ahead for the housing sector. Its workforce is tasked with addressing the housing shortage with a reduced budget.
As part of the £6bn of efficiency savings announced by chancellor George Osbourne last week, the Homes and Communities Agency is losing £230m from its budget.
In spite of these conditions, a survey released this month by Inside Housing found that job satisfaction in the sector is healthy. Despite feelings of increasing insecurity and stress, which were also picked up in the survey, the research found widespread positive attitudes towards work from the housing staff who took part.
If you're looking for this sort of challenge, combined with the benefits of working in a rewarding, community focused-sector, housing could be for you. It's a huge and varied sector; roles range from maintenance and asset management, to community development, tenant liaison, strategy and beyond.
To help you find out more about these jobs — and the many others which come under the sector's umbrella — our expert panel will be logging into the forum on 7 June to offer insight into the range of roles and career options in the sector as well as dish out some top tips on how to get these jobs.
Our panel:
Chris White, head of HR, National Housing Federation. NHF represents 1,200 independent, not-for-profit housing associations in England and is the voice of affordable housing.
Janice Thompson, regional housing manager for the Lancashire region, Contour Housing Group — one of the region's largest registered social landlords. Janice has worked in the housing sector for almost 22 years, starting as a receptionist and working her way up.
Sarah Furbey, community development worker on the Hollins & Avenues estate, Oldham for Contour Housing Group. Sarah been heavily involved in the local community and a Contour resident for around eight years and has a wide range of experience in running community activities locally.
Jill Allcoat is the membership development manager at the Chartered Institute of Housing — the professional organisation for people who work in housing. Jill works to promote careers in housing by communicating with potential entrants and those already working in the sector.
Jan Goode, head of corporate support, Housing Plus Group — a leading housing organisation which includes South Staffordshire Housing Association and Property Care as members. Jan has been involved in a new recruitment process which looks at candidates' work ethics and attitudes as well as experience and capabilities and implement a range of staff benefits including a free counselling service.
Andrew Drury is the managing director of of HATC Ltd, a consultancy established in 1994, specialising in the field of affordable housing projects, programmes, policy and professional development. HATC combines expertise in housing policy with coal-face scheme delivery.
Mandy Haslam, head of adult care and support, East Living (part of the East Thames Group housing association). Mandy has more than 16 years experience delivering care and support services in the housing sector and, at East Living, is responsible for running over 80 care and support housing schemes throughout east London and Essex.
This discussion is now open for advance questions so get posting.
