Regional focus: West Midlands
Bhav Parmar, Manager of Hays Social Housing, provides an insight into employment opportunities for social housing professionals in the West Midlands.
Affordable Housing
According to figures released by the housing charity Shelter in May, homelessness in the West Midlands has risen by one third since 1997. This highlights just part of the reason behind the increasing need for social housing professionals in the region.
Not only are there government targets to reduce homelessness but there has also been a flurry of stock transfers and mergers within housing associations, which have all added to the demand for experienced professionals. Employers are now under increasing pressure to meet their recruitment targets.
House prices in the West Midlands now stand at 7.5 times the average regional income, house prices have risen nearly 140% since 1997 and housing waiting lists are rising faster in the region than anywhere else in England, according to the NHF.
The Housing Corporation has some defined objectives in place to increase the provision of affordable housing, particularly in rural areas, so the demand for housing professionals is definitely set to continue.
Private finance
Over the past 15 years, the region has attracted over £23 billion of private finance into affordable housing, according the Housing Corporation. For example, the recent creation of Arms Length Management Organisation of Wolverhampton Homes, the housing stock of Wolverhampton City Council and the merger of Keynote Housing Group and Focus Housing Association to form the largest Midlands-based housing and community investment organisation – Midland Heart. Midland Heart is a social enterprise business that owns and manages more than 30,000 homes, has assets worth in excess of £1 billion and is set to invest more than £100 million every year in improving homes.
The temporary market in the region is currently very buoyant particularly for housing management, and for work surrounding the Decent Homes Standard. The Decent Homes Standard has resulted in an increase in the number of trades and labour staff working for contractors. 80% of housing associations in the region already meet the Decent Homes Standard, but work is underway for the remainder to meet the 2010 deadline.
Part of the Housing Corporation’s £198.5 million budget will be allocated to supported housing for vulnerable groups, increasing the need for supported housing professionals, project workers, scheme wardens, homelessness officers and key workers.
Current trends
Skills shortages across the social housing sector are having a considerable effect on the market. Not only are they placing considerable pressure on employers, but they are also driving salaries and rates for temporary workers up steadily. A Housing Manager in a generic housing role, for example, can expect to earn around the national average of nearly £29,000.
Temporary rates are increasing at such a rate that workers are now more inclined to enter this type of work, both to obtain financial rewards and because, compared to five years ago, the market is more welcoming to temporary staff.
We have also noticed that employers are particularly looking for homelessness experience due to a renewed government focus on reducing homelessness levels. Strong candidates possessing specialist skills, such as knowledge of the new SX3 training package and anti-social behaviour are in greater demand. Due to the supported housing agenda, there is a strong focus on service provision and sheltered scheme wardens, project officers, key workers and tenancy support officers are also in strong demand.
In conclusion
Overall, the region has a strong housing market and a clear strategy in place to ensure positive economic growth. Social housing professionals with experience are highly sought after across the West Midlands. The region has particular demands due to its ethnically and culturally diverse population and candidates with diversity experience are therefore in demand.
Equally, the government's focus on anti-social behaviour and reducing homelessness has placed further demands on employers to recruit candidates who possess this specialist experience. All of which signal a wealth of opportunities for specialist social housing professionals and salaries are rising to match.
For further information, contact Bhav Parmar, Manager of Hays Social Housing, on 0121 566 9972 or visit www. hays.com/socialhousing.
