Written evidence submitted by Chartered Institute of Housing (RDC0004)

Introduction to our response

The tragedy at Grenfell Tower exposed systemic failings in the UK’s building safety framework, with devastating consequences for residents and their communities. As the professional body for housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) remains committed to advocating for cultural and systemic change, elevating resident voices, and supporting the sector in delivering safe and equitable housing.

CIH welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Public Accounts Committee's inquiry into the remediation of dangerous cladding. While we acknowledge the importance of the National Audit Office (NAO) report in identifying systemic barriers and issues of value for money, we believe the committee must also consider broader contextual factors critical to fully understanding the challenges of cladding remediation.

This response is structured around two primary themes:

• Protecting Taxpayers’ Money and Maximising Social Return on Investment: A transparent, equitable approach to fund deployment is essential to building public trust and ensuring remediation delivers long-term societal benefits.
• Building Safety and Remediation Progress: Addressing systemic barriers, embedding cultural change, and prioritising resident safety and well-being are critical to overcoming the challenges of building safety and remediation timelines.

CIH’s submission aims to ensure that lessons from the Grenfell tragedy drive systemic reform and cultural transformation across the housing sector while meeting the committee’s focus on value for money.

Protecting Taxpayers’ Money and Maximising Social Return on Investment

1.1 Effective and equitable use of taxpayer funds is fundamental to restoring public trust in cladding remediation efforts. The government’s £5.1 billion allocation represents a significant commitment; however, the National Audit Office report[i] estimate that £16.6 billion is required to remediate all unsafe cladding underscores the urgency of addressing funding shortfalls.

1.2 Efficiency and Equity: Persistent inefficiencies in funding mechanisms, as highlighted by the NAO, often fail to align resources with the greatest need. CIH advocates for a transparent, risk-based allocation of funds to ensure fairness and efficiency. High-risk buildings and vulnerable residents must be prioritised to accelerate progress and direct resources to where they are most impactful.

1.3 While cost-efficiency is vital, it should not come at the expense of safety or public trust. Short-term cost-saving measures can undermine long-term outcomes, increasing risks and financial burdens. There needs to be an emphasis balancing financial prudence with the imperative to deliver safe, secure housing.

1.4 Social Return on Investment: Investments in cladding remediation extend beyond immediate safety outcomes. Safe and secure housing contributes to improved health, reduced economic inequality, and strengthened community resilience. CIH supports framing these investments as a social good, demonstrating their value in promoting long-term societal stability and well-being.

1.5 To build public trust, clearer communication[ii] of the social returns on investment is required. Emphasising the positive outcomes for residents, communities, and society reinforces the critical role of public funding in creating lasting change.

1.6 Transparency and Accountability: Transparent fund allocation and project progress are critical to equitable resource deployment. There should be publicly accessible reports detailing how funds are distributed and monitored. Independent audits further enhance accountability, ensuring resources are directed effectively to those in need.

1.7 The government’s recent allocation of £1 billion for cladding remediation must prioritise safety and well-being while addressing systemic inefficiencies. Clear guidelines for fund allocation and monitoring, aligned with resident-centred goals, are essential to ensuring measurable progress and outcomes.

Building Safety and Remediation Progress

2.1 The Grenfell Tower Inquiry underscored the devastating consequences of systemic failings in the housing and construction sectors. Decisions prioritising cost over safety and a lack of meaningful resident engagement left many at risk. Addressing these failings requires embedding cultural change, professional competence, and resident-centred approaches into building safety frameworks. The remainder of this response builds on insights from CIH members, research, and projects such as Rethinking Repairs and Maintenance (RERAM).[iii] It aligns with our focus on cultural transformation, accountability, and professionalism to ensure meaningful progress in cladding remediation

2.2 Cultural Change: The Grenfell tragedy demonstrated the dangers of prioritising financial expediency over safety. Embedding cultural change into the housing and other relevant sectors is critical to ensuring safety is never treated as secondary. CIH supports the Competence and Conduct Standard[iv], and our professional standards[v] and code of conduct[vi] provide a clear framework for prioritising professionalisation, emphasising integrity, ethical practice, and continuous development. These principles serve as a roadmap for equipping professionals to manage housing effectively and rebuild public trust.

2.3 The recent announcement of a fundamental review of the Approved Documents is a welcome step toward addressing systemic barriers in building safety compliance. Simplified, clear guidance aligns with the Grenfell Inquiry’s findings and fosters a safety-first culture.

2.4 Resident-Centred Approaches: CACHE[vii] research highlights the profound emotional and financial toll on residents living in unsafe buildings. Delays in remediation exacerbate stress, financial insecurity, and mistrust. CIH advocates for risk frameworks that integrate residents’ lived experiences, including transparent communication and timely updates.

Empowering residents to actively shape safety measures ensures their voices are not just heard but acted upon. Transparent, inclusive decision-making rebuilds trust and aligns safety interventions with residents’ needs.

2.5 Progress and Timelines: As of August 2024, the NAO reported that only 29% of the 4,771 buildings in government remediation programmes had been completed. Medium-rise buildings face greater delays, with just 26% included in a programme. Systemic barriers, funding disputes, skills shortages, and unclear responsibilities—continue to hinder progress, leaving thousands of residents exposed to risks and financial burdens such as waking watch costs.

2.6 CIH supports phased remediation approaches focusing on liveability, effective communication, and transparent timelines to mitigate these impacts. Housing providers face immense pressure to deliver within tight timeframes while navigating complex regulations and broader financial challenges. CIH recognises these challenges and advocates for solutions that balance urgency and thoroughness, ensuring quality and safety.

2.7 Workforce and Skills Challenges: The sector-wide shortage of skilled workers in fire safety and cladding remediation is a critical barrier to progress. Feedback from our members[viii] underscores ongoing skills shortages and recruitment challenges that hinder risk management and building services work. These issues threaten the sector’s ability to meet new regulatory demands. There is therefore a need for targeted investment in reskilling initiatives, apprenticeships, and retention strategies.

Recommendations

3.1 To address the challenges outlined above, CIH makes the following recommendations:

3.2  Embedding Cultural Change:

• Integrate ethical decision-making and professionalism into building safety strategies.
• Ensure residents’ voices are central to risk management and remediation processes.

3.3 Accelerating Progress:

• Prioritise safety and well-being in project timelines, even amidst resource constraints.
• Address workforce shortages through targeted investment in training and recruitment.

3.4 Maximising Public Value:

• Balance cost-efficiency with equity, focusing on vulnerable residents.
• Strengthen transparency and accountability in fund deployment to restore public trust.

Conclusion

4.1 CIH is committed to supporting the housing sector through this critical period. The remediation of dangerous cladding is not only a technical and logistical challenge but a moral imperative. By centring on safety, equity, and professionalism, we can honour the lessons of Grenfell and ensure that every resident has a safe and secure place to call home.

About CIH

5.1 The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards. Our goal is simple – to provide housing professionals and their organisations with the advice, support, and knowledge they need. CIH is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. This means that the money we make is put back into the organisation and funds the activities we carry out to support the housing sector. We have a diverse membership of people who work in both the public and private sectors in 20 countries on five continents worldwide. Further information is available at www.cih.org.  

December 2024