Bjorn Howard, chief exec, responds to Shelter's social housing report

Bjorn Howard, group CEO, said:

“The commission has rightly identified the vital need for more social housing – something that the sector is acutely aware of and working to remedy.

“We should acknowledge, though, that the current government has made great strides with its housing policies and, beginning with last summer’s social housing green paper, has started to put a framework in place through which the housing sector can deliver on its goals. Nevertheless, there is still undeniably work to be done and we all must work hard in 2019 to ensure the momentum built up last year is sustained.

“Collaboration is key to driving the sector forward and meeting the targets that the commission highlights. Many councils will need partners to access the expertise and capacity to build more homes in their communities. It’s therefore vital that we as housing associations stand ready to support local authorities, complementing their own social housing development programmes in the process.”