Housing Finance Conference 2023 - key themes

We exhibited once again at the Housing Finance Conference in Liverpool, March 2023. 

As usual, it was a great event! A fantastic opportunity to network with finance professionals in the housing sector and hear from a range of inspirational and thought-provoking speakers.

Here are some of the key themes from the event.

Biggest risks to the sector this year?

The housing sector faces two hugely significant risks: the cost of living crisis and exposure to the housing market, particularly house prices and sales of new properties. Looking ahead, the proposed rent cap is also set to squeeze already stretched finances.

Housing Associations are stepping up to help residents by increasing their sense of security - providing access to financial support, and acting compassionately and quickly when people are struggling.

How are Housing Associations helping residents?

Firstly, by creating a deeper sense of long-term security.

No one can deny the financial hardship caused by the cost of living crisis, something that can cause great stress and worry to residents struggling to pay their rent. In these circumstances, as long as residents are engaging with their HA to get their payments back on track, they won’t be evicted. This positive step ensures people are not at risk of eviction from a housing association home.

Secondly, Housing Association's are helping residents to get financial support. 

They are actively encouraging people to access benefits and other avenues available to alleviate financial hardship, including help to get into work. With over 40 support schemes in existence to help with the cost of living, navigating how to access them, without assistance, can be difficult. Housing Association's are providing guidance, advice and practical help to residents to ensure they can access existing support packages.

Finally, Housing Association's are acting compassionately and quickly. 

Associations will work with residents who are struggling to pay rent by creating payment plans that are manageable for them, for the long term. Legal action will only be taken as a last resort; when residents are not engaging or trying to reach a solution despite best efforts or when cases involve domestic abuse or antisocial behaviour that put other residents or communities at risk.

Improving gender equality within finance.

Gender equality was another key theme at the conference this year, with one senior speaker outlining five different types of bias that still exist within the sector:

• The "prove it" bias. Men are judged on potential, women are judged on their experience, with their mistakes more noticeable than men’s 
• The "2-edged sword" bias. ‘Emotional tax’ is levied on women, who are pressured to to fit in rather than be themselves – when they are portrayed as either too loud and bubbly or too quiet. 
• The "need to cover" bias. Judgements are made about their clothes and women face comments about looking tired if they don't wear makeup.
• Racial stereotypes. They have a big effect on the way women of colour are perceived, such as their level of seniority. 
• The "likeability" bias. Women are penalized for being too assertive, while men are praised for the same behaviour, or not assertive enough.

Clearly, issues such as these are wider than just the Finance sector within housing. But, with the gender pay gap and recent high-profile sexual harassment scandals in the business world, this was an important topic on the agenda.

These are just some of the wide ranging topics on the agenda at the conference, which offered a huge amount of topical, educational content, industry-leading speakers and interesting exhibitors.

Our team met many of our Housing Association customers, talked about the hiring landscape and grew their network, making some fantastic new connections.

If you would like to discuss the market for Finance talent within Housing Associations, or other not-for-profit sectors, contact Catherine Hegarty.