Chartered Institute of Housing: Spin. Silence. Repeat.
When I was first slapped with a so-called contact management plan—what it really was, was a communication ban—I was shocked. GreenSquareAccord stopped me from emailing staff, blocked me from sharing updates with leadership, and told me that copying in multiple people “muddied the waters.” It was the beginning of an institutional gag order.
And it came from a housing association that prides itself on “listening to the voice of the tenant.” Apparently, that only applies if your voice says things they want to hear.
At first, I thought it was just GSA’s internal tactic. But I soon realised it was part of something much bigger. What started as one housing association’s censorship revealed a culture that runs deeper—into the very institutions that claim to regulate and reform the sector. I’m talking about the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
We Remember Grenfell — But They Still Reward the Guilty
Eight years on from Grenfell, the banners go up again. Green hearts. Thoughtful quotes. Hashtags of remembrance. The sector remembers — but only once a year, and only on its own terms.
Let’s be clear — if remembrance meant anything, accountability would have come by now.
Instead, what we’ve witnessed is a culture of celebration — even as the sector remains structurally unchanged. Survivors are still fighting for justice. Residents are still living in unsafe homes. And the institutions at the heart of this crisis remain intact — unpunished.
The Chartered Institute of Housing - Time to Turn Off the Life Support?
As a tenant in a shared ownership property, I've heard the phrase "Chartered Institute of Housing" mentioned almost victoriously. Yet, I've seen very little tangible evidence of their results. As someone who's been blocked by them (and we have internal emails to prove it), I'm bound to have a bitter taste in my mouth. However, let's keep it unemotional and focus on the results derived from the costs spent.
Housing associations allow their staff to reclaim the membership fee they pay to be part of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Essentially, this means that as a tenant, I'm indirectly funding these memberships.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) positions itself as the leading professional body for housing, dedicated to supporting professionals, upholding standards, and driving positive change in the sector. It claims to reinvest its income into improving housing, working across 20 countries to shape the profession. But for tenants struggling with rising service charges, unsafe homes, and a lack of accountability, these claims ring hollow.