For the first time on the Housing Sector Podcast, I’m joined by three guests — campaigners from the grassroots group Welsh Cladiators — to talk about building safety, leasehold injustice, and the slow, painful fight for accountability in Wales.

Despite having a devolved government, the issues facing residents in Wales mirror those in England. Unsafe homes. Delays. Legal loopholes. A government that won't act until pushed. The housing crisis may wear different colours, but it speaks the same language — one of silence, stalling, and shifting responsibility.

We speak about the importance of standing together. About what unites us, not divides us. This fight has been carried by unpaid residents and grassroots campaigners — people like Rob Nichols, Mark Thomas, and Geoff Spight — who have become experts by necessity, not choice. While others draw salaries and stall progress, these voices keep pushing forward for one simple reason: because no one else will.

What we want isn’t complicated. Just safe, affordable, decent homes. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.

https://opencollective.com/welsh-cladiators

https://www.facebook.com/groups/welshcladiator/

https://nation.cymru/opinion/welsh-cladiators-leading-the-way-to-justice-for-building-safety-victims/

https://www.leaseholdknowledge.com/tag/welsh-cladiators/

https://www.leaseholdknowledge.com/more-than-six-years-after-grenfell-and-15-months-after-the-building-safety-act-how-does-labour-wales-compare-with-tory-westminster-over-fixing-badly-built-blocks-of-flats/

https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s162509/Paper%2011%20Building%20Safety%20-%20Response%20from%20Welsh%20Cladiators%20-%209%20June%202025.pdf

#HousingSectorPodcast #WelshCladiators #BuildingSafetyCrisis #CladdingScandal #LeaseholdReform #CardiffHousing #SocialHousing #HousingJustice #GrenfellLegacy #WalesHousingCrisis #TenantVoices #ResidentLed #AccountabilityMatters #DevolvedButIgnored #SafeHomesNow #GeoffSpight #RobNichols #MarkThomas #GrassrootsActivism #NoMoreDelays #HousingCymru

In this narrated blog from HousingSector.co.uk, Ben Jenkins takes a critical look at the Chartered Institute of Housing — questioning whether the organisation truly represents residents or has become too entangled in sector politics, self-promotion, and silence.

From empty conference slogans to tokenistic inclusion and the commodification of "tenant voice," this episode challenges the sector to look in the mirror.

Read the full blog and explore more content at housingsector.co.uk.

#HousingCrisis #HousingSectorPodcast #CIH #SocialHousing #ResidentVoice #Accountability #InsideHousing #TenantLed #SpinSilenceRepeat #HousingJustice #NotForProfitScrutiny #UKHousing

In this episode, I sit down with Martin Donkin — chair of the Coniston House Tenants & Residents Association (CHTRA) — to unpack one of the most outrageous examples of planning gone wrong and residents being ignored.

Tower Hamlets Council signed off on what was pitched as a “low-impact” rooftop extension by Eastend Homes. What followed has been anything but. Serious water damage, unsafe living conditions, and families forced into temporary accommodation — all because the building was left unsealed and neglected during construction.

Martin, like so many before him, didn’t set out to be a campaigner. He just wanted the issues fixed. But when the damage spread and the silence deepened, he stepped up. Now, through CHTRA, he’s leading the fight for justice.

This isn’t just a story about poor workmanship. It’s about a system that enables failure — where residents are treated as obstacles, not partners, and where accountability is always someone else’s job.

CHTRA has taken legal action. They’ve been on ITV News. London Assembly Member Zoë Garbett has visited the site and publicly called out the disgraceful conditions. And yet, the disruption continues.

So we’re asking: is this greed, stupidity, incompetence — or all of the above?

https://www.chtra.org.uk/

Subscribe for more real stories from the frontline of housing.
Visit https://www.housingsector.co.uk

#HousingSectorPodcast #MartinDonkin #ConistonHouse #CHTRA #TowerHamlets #EastendHomes #HousingCrisis #DevelopmentDisaster #GreedyOrIncompetent #ReluctantHeroes #ResidentVoices

In this episode of the Housing Sector Podcast, I sit down with Paul Smith — Director of Foundations and a seasoned housing professional with over 25 years' experience.

We discuss his work delivering home adaptations, improving access, and ensuring that people live in homes that are truly fit for purpose. Paul shares insights into what’s working, what still needs fixing, and why getting adaptations right is about more than just ramps and rails — it’s about dignity, independence, and action.

Paul is also standing for Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Housing, aiming to raise the profile of these issues and push for more practical, person-focused change across the sector.

Please like, subscribe, and share — and help spread the word about this important campaign.

https://www.foundations.uk.com/
https://www.cih.org/news/voting-open-...

#HousingSectorPodcast #PaulSmith #FoundationsUK #HomeAdaptations #AccessibleHousing #DisabilityInclusion #CIHVP #CharteredInstituteOfHousing #IndependentLiving #HousingForAll #InclusiveDesign #SocialHousing #HousingMatters #AdaptationsThatWork #DFG #HousingCampaign #AccessibleHomes #HousingReform #BuiltEnvironment #HousingJustice

This week, I’m joined by Frances Kneller — someone who grew up in social housing, worked in the heart of the system, and now supports people as a councillor. Frances brings a unique blend of lived experience and sector insight, having experience with the Chartered Institute of Housing and within housing associations before stepping away from the formal structures.

Together, we explore the growing disconnect between leadership and lived reality — particularly the need for housing association CEOs to stop relying on carefully curated tours and instead see their stock for what it really is. Not the flagship sites. The forgotten ones.

We revisit the topic of missing flooring, the decline of local housing offices, and how poor housing is having a knock-on effect on public services like health and education. Frances also shares her thoughts on the long shadow cast by Right to Buy — how it stripped the sector of homes and failed to reinvest the proceeds, setting the stage for many of today’s problems.

#HousingSector #SocialHousing #FrancesKneller #RightToBuy #LivedExperience #HousingPolicy #CharteredInstituteOfHousing #PublicSectorHousing #HousingAssociations #CouncilHousing #MissingFlooring #LocalHousingOffices #AffordableHousingCrisis #HealthAndHousing #EducationAndHousing #CommunityLeadership #TenantVoices #HousingInequality #RealHousingReality #SeeItForYourself

This week on the Housing Sector Podcast, we’re joined by Lisa Malyon – tech entrepreneur, campaigner, and founder of Mums Versus Mould.

What started as a personal battle for Lisa – facing serious health issues and watching her daughter struggle with asthma – has grown into a powerful community initiative supporting families across the UK. Mums Versus Mould is a grassroots Facebook group offering practical help, health advice, and a safe space for people living with the consequences of damp and mould in their homes.

In this episode, we discuss:

The real-life impact of mould on families' health and wellbeing
What social landlords and policymakers still aren’t getting
Lisa’s journey from hospitalisation to housing advocacy
How Mums Versus Mould is empowering families with resources, peer support, and a collective voice
Why this issue goes far beyond DIY fixes – and what needs to change

If you’ve been affected by damp and mould – or have a solution to share – and want to join the conversation, please get in touch.

Subscribe, comment, and share to keep the pressure on.
Follow Lisa and Mums Versus Mould on Facebook for updates and support.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/347649538392335/
https://www.indoorairaware.co.uk/

#MumsVersusMould #HousingCrisis #DampAndMould #SocialHousing #TenantVoices #MouldAwareness #SafeHomes #HousingJustice #HealthAndHousing #HousingSectorPodcast #LisaMalyon #HousingSector #BenJenkins

Join us for a compelling discussion with Matt Lismore, chair of the Weavers Quarter Residents' Association and a prominent housing activist. Matt shares his firsthand experiences from the Weavers Quarter estate in Barking, East London, where residents have faced significant safety concerns due to structural flaws in their homes.

In this episode, we delve into the alarming issues surrounding the estate's balconies, which were found to be constructed with unsuitable materials, leading to partial collapses and posing serious risks to residents. Matt discusses the journey from raising initial concerns to confronting developers and local authorities, highlighting the challenges of ensuring accountability in the housing sector.

We also explore the broader implications for housing policy, tenant rights, and the importance of resident advocacy in driving change. Matt's insights shed light on the systemic issues within the housing industry and the urgent need for reform to protect residents' safety and well-being.

Further Information:

https://x.com/MattLismore

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0keq45y4zjo#:~:text=Weavers%20Quarter%20Residents'%20Association%20leader,%E2%80%9Csalt%20in%20the%20wounds%22.

https://www.housingtoday.co.uk/news/balcony-built-by-bouygues-collapses-amid-barking-estate-building-safety-concerns/5126271.article

https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68417916

https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/london-council-begins-safety-inspections-at-levitt-bernstein-designed-housing-after-parts-of-balcony-fall-off/5126320.article

https://www.building.co.uk/news/london-council-begins-safety-inspections-after-parts-of-balcony-at-bouygues-housing-fall-off/5126297.article

#HousingSectorPodcast #TenantVoices #MattLismore #WeaversQuarter #ResidentActivism #HousingJustice #SocialHousingCrisis #SafeHomesNow #AccountabilityMatters #VoiceOfTheResident #BuildingSafety #TenantRights #EastLondonHousing #ActivismInAction #HousingAdvocacy #SystemicFailure #ReluctantHeroes #FlawedHomes #HomesNotHype #ListenToResidents

In this episode, I speak with Steve Day, a dedicated campaigner and leaseholder advocate who worked closely with the late Amanda Walker to expose some of the worst building safety failures in modern Britain.

Together, they uncovered life-threatening defects at Royal Artillery Quays, challenged the silence of local authorities, and pushed for real legislative reform. Amanda’s tragic death only sharpened the focus. This isn’t just about what went wrong in the past — it’s about what’s still going wrong now.

This episode calls for public backing of the Building Safety Scheme, which seeks to stop developers and landlords from continuing to cut corners at the cost of lives.

Support the Building Safety Scheme
https://buildingsafetyscheme.org

Write to the Earl of Lytton in support of safer homes:
lyttonj@parliament.uk

Amanda Walker’s message to the House of Lords (July 2023):
https://buildingsafetyscheme.org/house-of-lords-briefing-video-04-july-23/

The Earl of Lytton and Rev. Richard Coles present vital reforms:
https://buildingsafetyscheme.org/the-earl-of-lytton-introduces-the-scheme/

Explainer: How the "Polluter Pays" amendment works:
https://buildingsafetyscheme.org/video-explainers/

Amanda Walker’s story and death:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MNdIm0gHLE

Royal Artillery Quays — developer defect scandal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gd4KQsBnLM