Homes That Work: Why I'm Standing for CIH Vice President

What if every home helped you stay independent for longer?

When I spent five years commissioning extra care housing, I saw what good really looked like.

The buildings weren’t that flashy. They weren’t high-spec or showy. But they were thoughtfully designed. The layout, the light, the ease of moving around, all of it supported people to stay independent for longer. Residents felt safe and in control. Falls and accidents were reduced. Families felt reassured. It was housing that did what it was supposed to do.

That experience shaped my thinking in ways that have never left me.

Extra care housing works brilliantly for some people. But most people live in general needs housing. And in those homes, the same simple features could make a big difference. Yet they are often missing.

That’s what led me to launch my campaign to be Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). I’ve called it Homes That Work. It’s about going back to basics. Making sure that homes help people live well, not just get by. That they offer safety, dignity, and make everyday life a little easier.

Too often, housing is split into neat categories. General needs. Supported. Specialist. But people’s lives aren’t that tidy. Needs change over time. Circumstances shift. The best homes can shift with them.

We treat this as a niche issue. It isn’t. Half of all social housing tenants live with a disability or long-term health condition. This isn’t on the margins. It is central to what social housing is for.

So we need to think differently. Not with sweeping reform, but through lots of small changes. The kind that turn a house into a home that works.

Residents don’t ask for a lot. They want homes that are well balanced. Not overdone. Not basic. Just practical and comfortable. A bathroom that’s easy to use. Heating controls that make sense. Light switches in sensible places. Small things that help people stay independent and feel confident.

These ideas also work for the sector. A small investment now can save much more in the future. Better homes mean fewer accidents, fewer care needs, and stronger communities.

So why aren’t we doing this already?

Part of it is habit. We build for an imagined “average” person. Usually someone young, fit and healthy. That shapes how we design, manage, and think about housing.

It’s time to challenge that.

As Director of Foundations, I already work nationally. I am a member of the Housing & Ageing Alliance. I also support councils, housing associations, and government. I helped write the national guidance on Disabled Facilities Grants. But this campaign gives me the chance to go further. To reach new people. To share what works. And to start conversations we’re not having.

Homes That Work isn’t a product or policy. It’s a mindset. It’s about recognising that people want the same things. A safe place to live. A bit of control. And not having to fight for help when things get difficult.

If I’m elected, I want to shine a light on what’s working. To support the people making quiet, positive changes. To ask better questions. And to help us all feel more confident in creating homes that meet real needs.

This matters. Especially now. The government is spending record sums on new social housing. That’s a rare opportunity. But it’s not just about numbers. It’s about getting the homes right.

Accessible. Practical. Built to last. Homes that work.

If that sounds like something you care about, I’d love your support.

🔗 https://www.foundations.uk.com/homes-that-work

Voting closes at 11.59pm on Friday 11 July 2025. See: https://www.cih.org/news/voting-open-for-the-next-cih-vice-president-1/