Bekah Ryder
@bekahryder.bsky.social
Experimenting at life. Research and social housing. Employed by Altair Ltd and two children. https://altairltd.co.uk/service/research-and-insight/
Given the updated National Planning Policy Framework has been released, worth re-posting this update from @bekahryder.bsky.social for Altair on the peculiar case of Temporary Accommodation and the NPPF. altairltd.co.uk/2026/07/27/t...
Temporary Accommodation: Addressing a Growing Housing Crisis
Why planning policy must better recognise temporary accommodation as a vital part of the housing system and the response to homelessness in England.
altairltd.co.uk
Was so saddened by Giles Peaker's death earlier this year, and today I find a 404 on the Nearly Legal website. Not sure if this is a blip my end or intentional, but I hope it survives as a suitable legacy @nearlylegal.co.uk @justinbates.bsky.social @anthonygoldlaw.bsky.social
Out of interest, is there a tally anywhere on number of government consultations per parliamentary term? Wondering where the current government sits.
My child’s primary school is behaving like the government on housing issues - they’ve made at least eight announcements in the last two days.
As I collect my latest Vinted parcel, reflecting on how the digital world has come for all that remains of most British high streets: the charity shop.
Great article from @julesbirch.bsky.social on housing announcements “removing obstacles to development & giving owners & tenants more control & better living conditions.” Still missing, though, is the overall housing strategy promised “in the coming weeks”. www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/catc...
Catching up on a busy few weeks in housing policy
From rent convergence to the Decent Home Standard, Inside Housing columnist Jules Birch analyses the recent flurry of housing policy announcements.
insidehousing.co.uk
Nice to see the launch of this website from Big Local www.learningfrombiglocal.org.uk - I still think about some of the areas I visited when doing research on this resident-led neighbourhood renewal programme www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/afte...
After 14 years of resident-led neighbourhood renewal in 150 areas, what is our legacy?
Our new website brings together learnings from a bold experiment where local people were trusted to lead, writes Madeleine Jennings of Local Trust.
insidehousing.co.uk
Our new report on Universal Credit is out today. We worked with participants from @changingrealities.bsky.social to develop 16 recommendations for how outcomes for and experiences of UC claimants can be improved. This thread has the details!
Resolution Foundation@resolutionfoundation.org · 7mo ago🧵 NEW: Our report 'Listen and learn' sets out how the Government should improve Universal Credit (UC) for the 15 million people who rely on it. 13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right. We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
The cost of making homes decent will increase from £3.6 billion (old DHS) to £11.3 billion (new DHS). Rent convergence at +£2 estimated to raise an additional £6.0bn income. So still a large funding hole. What will this mean for disposals?
Bekah Ryder@bekahryder.bsky.social · 8mo agoGlobal Accounts 2025 show record £1.3bn surplus from social rent housing sales, driven by strategic disposals under financial pressure. But with greater proportion from open market sales, how can the sector balance viability with protecting local social housing supply? www.gov.uk/government/p...
Wow, almost dizzy at pace of change on housing this week. Commonhold draft Bill, confirmation on rent convergence (+£1 from April 2027, +£2 from April 2028), DHS (no mandatory floor coverings but a working group/pilot), MEES, S106 roadmap, and funding and increased HRA threshold for councils.
Busy housing day - BSR no longer part of HSE, draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill published, and Richard Blakeway stepping down as the Housing Ombudsman. With the Regulator also looking for a new CEO, could be interesting times ahead in relation to consumer standards.
"a third (33%) of those in social housing said a property’s condition would be a key factor they’d look for when house hunting - more than any other feature listed in the study." press.gocompare.com/news/conditi...
Condition is key for house hunters in social housing, new study finds | GoCompare News
Condition was the top consideration for those house hunting in social housing Community factors like neighbours and amenities are also more sought after Overall, price was the nation’s main considera...
press.gocompare.com
“She’s hurting herself rather than studying, because our lives are so disrupted. She deserves a safe, stable home life" Incredible grateful to the five mothers who spoke to me about how temporary accommodation is affecting their neurodivergent child www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/temp...
Temporary accommodation is even worse for neurodivergent children, but councils can do better
There may be tens of thousands of neurodivergent children in temporary accommodation. Katharine Swindells talks to families who are struggling to cope.
insidehousing.co.uk
Five days until end of January - will we be seeing rent convergence details published this month??
📅 Join us online on Thursday 19 February 10-11am GMT as we introduce the Non-Decent Index (NDI), a free tool that identifies hotspots of Decent Homes failure in England. 📝 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rolling-ou...
Rolling out the Decent Homes Standard: Introducing the Non-Decent Index
This webinar introduces the Non-Decent Index (NDI), a free tool that identifies hotspots of Decent Homes failure in England.
eventbrite.co.uk
For nearly five years this recipe was on my fridge, unused. In the act of taking it off, decided it was time to make it. And it is good. Never give up, team! The right time for your idea or interest will one day come. 😁
Global Accounts 2025 show record £1.3bn surplus from social rent housing sales, driven by strategic disposals under financial pressure. But with greater proportion from open market sales, how can the sector balance viability with protecting local social housing supply? www.gov.uk/government/p...
Neil Goodrich@ngoodrichhsg.bsky.social · 8mo agoGlobal accounts for registered providers (England) have been released. See @bekahryder.bsky.social for good overview and observations. Familiar trends - EBITDA MRI interest cover sub 100%. Big uplift in repairs & maintenance spend. Debt service costs also increased. www.gov.uk/government/p...
It's 2026 and I have received my first ever email (as opposed to letter) from a council to confirm my details on the electoral register. Digital government, here we gooooo.
A national culture is alive and well - despite not knowing each other, the Christmas list of my non-London 11yo niece is remarkably similar to my friend’s London-dwelling 11 yo. All lip balm, amuseables and shower foam.
Interesting and beautiful piece of cultural history - tape letters from Pakistanis who migrated to the UK between 1960-1980 open.spotify.com/show/2P42rV5...
TL England: Tape Letters Trailer
open.spotify.com
CIH Futures has published a new report that shines a light on the experiences, aspirations and challenges facing early-career professionals across the housing sector.
Young housing professionals given powerful collective voice with CIH Futures report
CIH Futures has published a new report that shines a light on the experiences, aspirations and challenges facing early-career professionals across the housing sector.
scottishhousingnews.com
Delighted to see publication of @altairltd.bsky.social research on young professionals' views and experiences of working in social housing. Young people are passionate about housing, but passion without support, development and voice risks disengagement. Read more here: www.cih.org/news/cih-res...
Do you work in and with housing? If so, please come along to the CIH webinar on 9 Dec at 12.30 for the launch of CIH Futures' research, Voices of the Future - we'll be talking through findings from the first-ever survey of young housing professionals. www.cih.org/events/a-sec...
It’s 27 November and I have seen my first drunk street argument where one of the participants is bedecked with a cracker hat. Merry Christmas!
