National Social Housing Safety & Compliance Week: 6-10 November 2023
Residents’ safety and wellbeing is the number one priority for Hull City Council (HCC) which is why we are backing “Together for Safety,” a new, national movement which is being launched during National Social Housing Safety & Compliance Week, which runs from 6 – 10 November.
The new movement recognises that it takes more than a single organisation to provide and maintain safe homes.
It involves a whole supply chain, from contractors and developers to trained staff understanding what safety and compliance means, to residents themselves being involved in and voicing any concerns they may have and letting contractors into their homes to make the necessary safety checks for gas and electricity take place.
In addition to supporting residents directly, we will be looking to raise standards and share best practice with other landlords and organisations in the sector.
Furthermore, we are continually assessing the training provided to staff across the council’s Neighbourhoods and Housing Service to ensure that the safety message is heard and given priority.
Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration, Paul Drake-Davis, has said: “I’m proud that the council is supporting National Social Housing Safety and Compliance Week.
“Nothing is more important than ensuring our residents are safe in their homes and the council pledges to do so by continuously maintaining and improving home safety standards.
“I want to emphasise that home safety isn’t just the responsibility of a single organisation. It’s about everyone involved working together and this dedicated week highlights the importance of having that conversation.”
Hull City Council is encouraging residents to discuss any concerns they have about safety in their homes at a number of drop-in events, which will run next week and beyond.
Participants will include representatives from Humberside Fire and Rescue, the council’s High Rise and Tenancy teams, Housing Investment and others. The events planned to date are:
- Newtown Court HU9 1SL, Wednesday 8 November from 10am – 2pm
- Block 2, Great Thornton Street HU3 2LZ, Thursday 16 November from 1-2pm
- Block 3, Great Thornton Street HU3 2LZ, Tuesday 28 Nov 1.30- 2.30pm
- Padstow, at Bodmin Road Church, HU7 4HE, Wednesday 22 Nov 2pm – 3.30pm
Dates are being arranged for more drop-in sessions. Plus, staff will be visiting residents living in high rise flats to identify people who may have difficult leaving their homes, in the event of the need to evacuate.
Significant safety improvements have been made since the tragic Grenfell fire in 2016, including the 2021 Building Safety Act, and also to dealing with damp and mould (Awaab’s Law).
For residents living in high rise flats who want to contact the council for any safety related matters they should email HousingHighRiseTeam@hullcc.gov.uk
