Are you getting the most out of your NHF membership?

NHF members receive a host of benefits all year round at no additional cost to their membership.

Our annual impact report helps to demonstrate the NHF’s value to members in our work to influence policy and the political environment, but I wonder if we need to shout a little louder about the less visible but hugely important range of resources, benefits and services we provide to our members.

Hopefully most people will have attended one or more of our events at some point, whether it be a conference, network or webinar, all of which are heavily discounted or free for NHF members. But there may be some that are less well known, such as our Comms and Influencing Group and Network, which helps us assess and manage reputational risk, with members contributing to organisational strategy and providing feedback on important pieces of work.

We also provide a wide range of practical resources to help housing organisations run more efficiently and effectively.

Research tools

Our dedicated research team provide valuable information, data and resources for members, including:

• A data tool called Home Truths, which helps illustrate the housing crisis in your local area.
• The Local Economic Impact Calculator, which demonstrates the economic value of day-to-day activities and development by housing associations.

You can also contact the NHF research team if you have a specific housing data ask.

Toolkits

Our toolkits pull together key information, research, best practice and case studies from across the sector, creating a go-to resource for members.

They include:

• Making Every Contact Count – our report looks at how housing associations can use routine and planned interactions with residents to gather information about the condition of their homes and their needs. Case studies from 11 different social housing providers illustrate common themes, challenges and opportunities.
• Building safety – a toolkit developed with the help of resident groups to support our members to embed learnings and recommendations from the Grenfell Tower enquiry, improving resident safety and trust. It includes practical advice, discussion questions and case studies.
• AI resources – find out through our featured case studies how AI could be most beneficial to housing associations, increasing efficiency and productivity, while improving resident experience.
• EDI – this spring we are relaunching an updated toolkit with additional resources, including an inclusive recruitment pack, case studies and tools to support board level EDI discussions.
• Community cohesion – we recently launched a new set of web pages sharing experiences and lessons from housing associations across the country.
• English devolution – a toolkit to support our members as devolution rolls out across the country. It includes regional data breakdowns, political engagement tools, and best practice examples of work from established housing partnerships.
• Regulation and compliance – we are continually adding resources to help members navigate the latest changes, the most recent addition being the new operational guidance with law form Anthony Collins, on the Social Tenants Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs).
• Local elections toolkit – a useful resource to support members with political engagement, including guides on key messaging, top engagement tips and local statistics.

Member briefings

We also produce a range of member briefings on the latest developments across social housing; our policy team go through the details so you don’t have to.

Don’t forget too that our members can access a suite of exclusive newsletters to keep up-to-date with information relevant to their job, including:

• Crucial updates on developments in all areas of social housing.
• Examples of best practice.
• Opportunities to connect with peers and develop professional networks.
• Resources such as policy and legislation briefings, webinars, toolkits and guidance on key housing issues.

Our newsletters are tailored for colleagues working in different types of social housing, different teams and different roles – and at all levels.

To see the full range of our newsletters and sign up, register on the NHF website and update your communication preferences in My account.