SHiP Asset Management Project

SHiP is currently working on an asset management project, looking at the issues facing

supported housing in relation to the quality of our buildings. Difficulties are often linked

to the age and/or complexity of our buildings, but also in some instances, a lack of

timely investment. We appreciate that Landlords are facing many financial pressures in

relation to their asset management and H&S Compliance responsibilities, but equally

we are conscious, as a sector, that we must keep our supported housing buildings in

good repair in order to continue to provide the best quality service to residents, but also

to maximise lettings opportunities and minimise the loss of supported accommodation

and mitigate risk to reputational damage.

This means we need to get ahead of the game if our properties are to be of a suitable

standard and reputations are not put at risk

This project is currently ongoing, but has identified as key issues

i. An ageing stock/complex buildings

ii. Lack of investment in previous years

iii. Inadequate allowances to recognise Supported Housing’s increased burdens;

iv. A lack of recognition of the need for differing renewal schedules for schemes with

higher footfall, shared areas; there is a tendency to lump SH stock requirements

in with GN schedules without recognising that SH stock needs a different

approach on some areas – namely kitchens/bathrooms and communal areas,

with shorter timescales and sometimes higher spec components

v. Constraints on us that the commissioning process unintentionally imposes (short

term contracts are a disincentive to investment)

vi. Absence of stock condition surveys (SCS) – the expectation of the Regulator that

we ‘know our buildings’ is hindered where supported housing stock does not form

part of the Association’s SCS

vii. External landscape squeezing available funds – namely additional pressures on

all RPs from Building Safety Act investment demands and the current priority on

Damp & Mould action

viii. Additional the emerging external landscape specific to supported housing brings

pressure from

 The Oversight and Scrutiny legislation:

 Licensing is coming – all supported housing (exempt

accommodation) will be expected to register and the regime is

expected to be similar to the current HMO standards which we are

not subject to currently

 Additionally specialist LA teams will scrutinise the quality of

accommodation – these teams comprise a new specialist SH Team

and HB officers

 Rent levels will be scrutinised with an expectation that higher rents

result in high quality accommodation

 Ofsted – the 2023 Regulations regarding support accommodation for 16 & 17

year-olds will now mean our young people’s services will be inspected by Ofsted

– this examines the service and the quality of the accommodation

 CQC – an ever present inspection regime for care homes

ix. And dare we say, the slight invisibility of supported housing

Our project aims to break down these issues and risks and, bringing Asset Management

Teams and Senior Teams/Boards with us, we hope to raise the profile of the issues

facing supported hosing, minimise the loss of any future schemes, and encourage an

active and viable (i.e. funded) asset management strategy for supported housing, which

include appropriate renewal timescales for communal areas that have greater footfall,

and wear & tear than general needs stock. In a perfect world we would also like to

explore options for new development.