​New representative body for council housing directors expected to fund itself from second year

A proposed new representative body for council housing directors will be expected to fund itself through membership fees from the second year of its operation.

As reported by Housing Today last week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Local Government Association is backing moves to form the Association of Directors of Housing (AdOH).

MHCLG is putting in some seed funding to help get AdOH off the ground, but Housing Today understands the department’s intention is for the group to become self-sustaining from year two by generating income from membership fees.

A steering group led by Louise Wood, service director for planning and housing at Cornwall Council and Hakeem Osinaike, strategic director of housing at Southwark Council, is working on plans to establish the body in 2025/26.

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The group seeking to set up the new body posted on social media that the initiative “represents a significant and exciting opportunity for directors to collaborate on both national and regional levels, working together towards shared goals and aspirations”.

Matthew Pennycook, housing minister, outlined his backing for the project in a speech last week. He said: “Alongside the LGA we are establishing a new Association of Directors of Housing, which will act as a focal point for the sector to collaborate and share best practice. Making it easier for councils to work together effectively to deliver more homes.”