HQN Podcasts

The temporary accommodation crisis

Jon Land is joined by Keith Cooper, housing and mental health journalist, and Michael Farbrace, housing manager for homelessness charity Porchlight, to discuss the growing temporary accommodation crisis.

Embracing professionalism

In the latest HQN podcast Jon Land sits down with Gavin Cansfield and Linsay Baverstock from housing provider settle to talk about their approach to the social housing professionalism agenda and how this work is benefiting staff, residents and the wider organisational culture.

Avoiding the ’bear traps’ – tackling the challenges in asset management

Ahead of HQN's Asset Management Network annual conference, Wayne Hughes talks to Jon Land about the numerous challenges facing asset teams and the practical steps they can take to get on top of the day job while preparing for the upcoming changes to regulation.

The Windrush Scandal and Social Housing

Danielle Aumord meets with victims of the Windrush scandal who have suffered homelessness as a consequence. Featuring Roland Houslin, co-founder of the Justice for Windrush Generations campaign, and RBKC Ward Councillor Linda Wade who provides political analysis on the parallels between Windrush and the Grenfell Tower fire. 

High-rise fire safety: A study into the information residents receive

Anne Templeton, from Edinburgh University, and Claire Nash, from Strathclyde university, have recently conducted research into fire safety. With 1.3m people in England living in high-rise buildings, their research looks into how people get and, importantly, act on information about fire safety. Alistair McIntosh caught up with them for the latest HQN podcast.

Through the lens of Grenfell: Episode 8: Dangerous cladding

In this episode, Danielle Aumord speaks to Ritu Saha, co-founder of UK Cladding Action Group, about the "long and torturous campaign" she has led in an attempt to get the government to seriously address the issue of dangerous cladding.

Through the Lens of Grenfell: Episode 7: ’Six years on and it’s still a nightmare’

In this latest episode, Danielle Aumord investigates ongoing refurbishment and cladding problems in other residential blocks close to Grenfell Tower. She talks to Sue Duggins, a resident of Hazlewood Tower, about her experiences, hears from local councillor Sina Lari about wider resident concerns and addresses some of the issues raised with the deputy leader of RBKC Kim Taylor-Smith.

Through the Lens of Grenfell episode 6: Questions for Michael Gove

During the interviews for our Through the Lens of Grenfell podcasts over the last few months, we've asked everyone – from Grenfell survivors to politicians and campaigners – to record a question they'd like answered by Michael Gove.
The plan was to use those questions in an interview with the secretary of state for housing around the time of the 6th anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy.
Unfortunately, we're yet to hear back from Mr Gove, or his department, despite repeated requests.
So, while we continue to wait for a response, we've decided to broadcast the questions and let you imagine what his answers might be. We'll let you know if he ever gets back to us!

Through the Lens of Grenfell episode 5: The case for leasehold reform

In this special edition of our Through the Lens of Grenfell podcast series, Danielle Aumord investigates the case for leasehold reform. She talks to Harry Scoffin, the founder of Commonhold Now, about how his family's experience of leasehold living turned him into a campaigner for reform. She also visits the high-profile safety expert Gill Kernick, who lived in Grenfell Tower from 2011 to 14, and gets the thoughts of HQN chief executive Alistair McIntosh.

Through the Lens of Grenfell Part 4

In this latest episode, Danielle Aumord sits down with Grenfell survivor Emma O'Connor and HQN chief executive Alistair McIntosh to get their thoughts on the new Steve McQueen film 'Grenfell'. We also hear from Nicholas Burton, whose wife died from her injuries in the weeks after the fire, about why "every day is still a Grenfell day" and the fight goes on for dignity and justice.