Register Now for Housing Horizons 2026
Collaboration and Partnership for the Social Housing Sector | Wednesday 11th March 2026 | 30 Euston, London
We are excited to officially launch Housing Horizons 2026, a brand new joint event from CHIC and The Housing Forum, uniting two leading member networks dedicated to collaboration, innovation and delivery in housing.
As the sector faces continual change, with the Procurement Act and Building Safety reforms, to Decent Homes 2 and Net Zero, this one day conference will bring together housing professionals, local authorities and supply chain partners to share ideas, collaborate and shape the sectors response in London and the South East. Join us for a day of insight, discussion and connection and be part of this exciting new collaboration. Find out more and register HERE
Welcome To Our New Starters
We are delighted to welcome Megan Porter and Kirsty Stephens to the Member Services Team, and Ben Page to the Marketing & Communications Team. Each brings experience and enthusiasm to their roles and we look forward to have them on board. Here is a bit more about them.
Member Services Team – Megan Porter
“Hi, I’m Megan! I have recently joined CHIC as a Member Services Manager supporting Joanne Heyes – North, Jackie Leonard – Wales and Sarah Davey – Newbuild Development. This is a completely new challenge for me, but one I am extremely excited about. I am looking forward to supporting CHIC’s members and building some great new relationships. Previously, I have worked within the I.T industry managing a European service desk and also being heavily involved in Vendor and Project management, however I have always had a keen interest in the public sector. I believe working for CHIC and delivering procurement solutions and efficiencies to our members is the perfect next step in my career.”
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 Member Services Team – Kirsty Stephens
I’m Kirsty, and I’m delighted to have joined CHIC as a Member Services Manager. With over 12 years experience in membership organisations, I’m passionate about building strong relationships and delivering real value to members. Previously, I was Manager of Communications and Member Engagement at Mayfair Office/Mayfair International Realty, where I supported UK and international members in marketing their properties, strengthening connections, and maximising the services available to them. I’m excited to be part of the CHIC Member Services team and look forward to supporting our members.
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Marketing & Communications Team – Ben Page “Hi, I'm Ben and I have recently joined CHIC as the new Marketing and Communications Executive! With a background in the construction industry, I was keen to take on a new challenge that combined my experience with a passion for meaningful work. I’m excited to join CHIC’s growing Marketing Team and to be part of a consortium that delivers real social value and makes a positive difference to people and communities.”
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On the Cover
In this edition of Housing Executive, CHIC takes centre stage with the headline feature: “Preparing for Awaab’s Law: What did we learn?” - an in depth exploration of how the social housing sector is adapting to one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent history.
With Awaab’s Law now fully in effect, the article unpacks how housing providers, contractors and service partners are responding to the laws demand for urgency, efficiency and accountability in tackling health hazards such as damp and mould. Drawing on insights from CHIC’s London roundtable, the article highlights the challenges of capacity, training and communication, while also underscoring the sector’s determination to collaborate and put tenants health first.
Read the full article HERE
HOMES UK 25-26 November 2025, ExCel, London
We are looking forward to welcoming our members, partners and other exhibitors to the CHIC Community at this year’s HOMES UK event. We have some great supply chain partners showcasing their services and products this year, all available through CHIC’s DPS and Framework solutions.
Be sure to come and meet with us all in our free café. Our exhibiting partners are:
ProcureX Wales
CHIC exhibited at ProcureX Wales this month and met up with several current and prospective members. We had some great conversations and look forward to working with new members and onboarding several new suppliers to our DPS.
This Month’s Housing UpdatesLondon fast track plan cuts affordable housing quota to 20%
City Hall and the Treasury have confirmed that major London housing schemes can now qualify for a “fast-track” planning route if they include 20% affordable housing, down from 35%. Ministers say the measure will kick start stalled developments and boost delivery, while Labour MPs and housing campaigners warn it risks cutting the number of genuinely affordable homes and favouring luxury projects. The Guardian
Government launches decade long social housing programme
The Department for Housing and Communities has launched the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026–2036, targeting 300,000 affordable homes across England, including about 180,000 for social rent. Backed by £7 billion in long term funding and low interest loans, the plan gives housing providers a ten year pipeline to support delivery amid high build costs and land constraints. Bidding opens in February 2026 through Homes England and the Greater London Authority. GOV.UK policy statement
Councils warn temporary accommodation funding freeze draining £268m a year
English district councils say a freeze on temporary accommodation subsidies dating back to 2011 is costing local authorities £268 million annually, worsening homelessness pressures and diverting funds away from newbuild social housing. The District Councils’ Network argues that updating subsidy levels could instead finance over 1,100 new homes a year. The government is reviewing temporary accommodation funding as part of its homelessness strategy refresh due in 2026. Local Government Lawyer
Welsh government invests extra £55m in TACP to deliver more homes
An additional £55m has been allocated to the Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme (TACP), bringing this year’s budget to £155m. This extra funding will help to acquire existing dwellings, convert non residential buildings into housing and bring void properties back into use. More than £275m has been invested through the TACP over the past three years, supporting the delivery of 2,700 more homes, 930 of which were void properties brought back into use. Inside Housing
Government Launches £9bn Plan to Upgrade 40,000 Military Homes Across the UK
The government has unveiled a £9bn Defence Housing Strategy to upgrade over 40,000 military homes across the UK in the next decade. Around 14,000 will be fully refurbished or replaced, with thousands more modernised. A new Defence Housing Service will oversee the homes, while surplus MOD land will be used to build 100,000 new civilian and service family homes. Funded through increased defence spending and savings from a £6bn housing buyback, the plan marks the biggest renewal of Armed Forces housing in 50 years. Inside Housing
