About this event

Empty council properties, known as voids, present a significant challenge for local authorities. Due to the current process of managing voids, properties routinely stay empty for 30-50 days. During this time councils and housing associations cannot collect any rent on them.

With housing register waiting lists as long as 10 years, we must bring thought leaders from different organisations together to problem-solve the current challenges that affect so many people.

For this webinar, we’ve invited a select group of senior leaders from councils and housing associations to join us for what will be a very special panel to discuss the challenges within voids management and their vision for the future.

In this panel, we’ll discuss:

  • the current challenges facing housing and voids managers
  • their approach to managing voids within their current organisation
  • how the voids management process could be improved

We believe that this panel will be of particular interest to senior leaders across:

  • Housing management
  • Repairs management
  • Voids management
  • Housing portfolios
  • Councillors
  • Board members
  • Digital transformation

This event is now available on demand.

Date

Monday, 19 February 2024

Speakers

Councillor Ellie Emberson

Lead Councillor for Housing, Reading West & Mid Berkshire CLP Vice Chair

Ellie was just 19 when she was elected in Reading’s Minster Ward, and vowed to represent and tackle issues affecting young people, such as housing. Ellie has been a counsellor for the past 5 years and since then has become a member of the Social Housing Roundtable.

Jem Bowen

Thistle group Coordinator, Senior Project Manager at Reading County Council

Jem is a Senior Project Manager for Reading Borough Council and has had a long career managing digital projects and IT systems for housing teams across the south. Jem is also the Coordinator of the THiSTLe Housing IT Group, made up of housing managers and directors who review and investigate housing technology solutions.

Andy Vincent

Operations Director at Hexagon Housing Association

Andy is a highly experienced Housing and Operations Manager with a career spanning numerous councils and housing associations. Andy also holds a Masters in Housing Studies focused on Housing and Human Environments.