Where we have been this month
CHIC Sponsored Walk – Goal Reached
The CHIC team has completed our 2025 sponsored walk and we are pleased to say we have exceeded our target, raising £1,207 so far. The funds have been donated directly to CHIP, supporting its mission to provide employment and training opportunities, fund local community initiatives and deliver social value projects that make a lasting impact.
It was a bright and sunny day and while the team are now icing their blisters, it was a great effort for a great cause. A big thank you to everyone who has donated.
Donations are still open, so if you haven’t yet and would like to support CHIP, you can do so here:
Donate here
CHIC Hosts Social Housing Panel at UK Construction Week
CHIC hosted a well attended panel discussion at UK Construction Week on Thursday 8th May, focusing on unlocking long term opportunities in social housing maintenance and building safety.
Chaired by CHIC’s Chief Executive, John Fisher, the session featured insights from Jennine Kirkwood (Head of Member Services, London – CHIC), Samantha Jane Rogers (Westminster City Council), and Alison Hann (Calfordseadon). Together, they explored how the sector is responding to the ongoing need for investment in existing homes and the role that frameworks play in offering structured, compliant routes to market for contractors and suppliers.
The discussion covered a range of topics including the impact of the Procurement Act, what clients look for from service providers and how both small and large contractors can access opportunities through CHIC’s frameworks.
Thank you to all who joined the session and contributed to the conversation.
If you would like a copy of the presentation content, we are happy to share it.
CHIC at CIH Brighton 2025
Members of the CHIC team also attended CIH’s Housing Brighton event last week. It was a great opportunity to catch up with our members and supply chain partners and to hear more about the key issues shaping the sector.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to connect with us.
CHIC Team Attends Asset Management Training with ARK
Many colleagues from the CHIC team attended an Asset Management Training session hosted by ARK Consultancy at Conference Aston on Wednesday 30th April. This training provided a ‘deep dive’ into the current challenges facing the social housing sector, particularly around asset management.
As both ARK and CHIC are heavily involved in this crucial area of social housing, it was essential for our team to share knowledge, develop our skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and challenges. By attending, we are better equipped to continue delivering the best service to our members and partners.
ARK is CHIC’s managing agent - a leading multidisciplinary management and technical consultancy, working across the UK with housing associations, local authorities, government bodies and the charitable sector. ARK has experts who advise on all business functions but who have particular expertise in asset management, development, governance, organisational change and regeneration.
Recent Contract Awards
Here is a look at the contracts awarded through CHIC since the last edition of CHIC CHAT, highlighting the wide range of services our members and partners provide
This Month’s Housing Updates
Planning Reform Could Add £7.5bn to UK Economy
The government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to boost housing and infrastructure, with reforms potentially delivering £7.5bn in economic gains over a decade (Gov.uk). Changes like cutting statutory consultations could shave two years off housing projects and add £1bn in value. The OBR suggests these could help reach a 40-year high of 305,000 homes annually (OBR).
Solar Panel Mandate to Include Social Housing
By 2027, new homes—including social housing—must have solar panels, under the Future Homes Standard (Gov.uk). This could add £3,300–£4,000 to build costs. The Home Builders Federation urges realistic implementation to reflect housing design diversity (HBF).
18,000 Workers to Be Trained in Green Skills
The Warm Homes Plan will train 18,000 workers in heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation (BEIS). Funding includes grants, a skills programme and manufacturer investment. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme saw applications rise 88% year-on-year in March 2025.
Waking Watch Fund Extended with £21.1m Top-Up
The Waking Watch Replacement Fund is extended to March 2026, with total funding now over £41m (Gov.uk). It supports installing L5 fire alarm systems in buildings with a waking watch but cannot be used for work already started.
HACT Launches Innovation Programme for Social Housing
Social housing charity HACT is starting a sector wide innovation and R&D project, backed by 20+ partners (HACT). The initiative includes CEO interviews, stakeholder roundtables and a roadmap for sector transformation, to be launched in September 2025.
Housing Completions Rise Despite Fewer Starts
ONS data shows housing associations completed 10,270 homes in Q4 2024—a 36% rise (ONS). However, new starts fell significantly. Local authorities started only 230 homes. At this rate, the government may achieve up to 153,000 completions in year one.
Construction Sector Tops Insolvency Rates
Construction firms accounted for 17% of all insolvencies to February 2025, with 4,046 cases (Insolvency Service). February alone saw 367 cases—the highest since June 2024. Most involved self-employed workers and sole traders.
6.3 Million Homes at Flood Risk, Warns CCC
The Climate Change Committee warns that 6.3 million homes in England are at flood risk, rising to 8 million by 2050 (Climate Change Committee). The UK lacks adaptation plans, with threats from flooding, heatwaves and wildfires set to worsen.
