Response to today’s announcements on building safety

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:

“We welcome today’s announcements on building safety.

“Housing associations have already started removing combustible cladding from buildings under the 18-metre threshold, based on a broader assessment of risk. We therefore welcome the government’s proposals to apply a risk-based approach to evaluating building safety – something which we have been calling for.

“There are already significant capacity challenges for housing associations and other sectors involved in building remediation – including specialist contractors and fire safety experts. With potentially many more buildings requiring remediation it will be even more important that the government takes a strategic lead in coordinating resources across the country, so that buildings most at risk are remediated first.

“We strongly support moves to simplify and consolidate government advice on remediation, and will look at how this might help housing associations remediate their buildings.

“We are pleased that the government is investigating options to support leaseholders to pay for remediation works.”